Shark advocate, US triathlete Erica Fox killed in shark attack, body found week later

The body of US triathlete Erica Fox, 55, was found six days after she disappeared during a group swim at Lovers Point in Pacific Grove, California, in what authorities confirmed as a shark attack.

Fox was swimming with her husband and about 15 members of the Kelp Krawlers club she founded on December 21 when a witness onshore saw what appeared to be a large shark surface with a human limb before diving.

Her husband, Jean-Francois Vanreusel, was on the beach and saw her disappear. An extensive search involving helicopters and divers was launched, but suspended after 15 hours without success.

Her body was found floating about 30 miles away near Davenport Beach on Saturday afternoon, her father confirmed, calling it a "heartbreaking discovery."

Fox was an experienced athlete, competing twice in the Half-Ironman and taking part in the Escape from Alcatraz race for 20 years. Ironically, she was known for studying sharks and defending them. In 2022 when a teammate was badly bitten, she argued against using the term "attack," preferring "incident" or "bite," saying swimmers were "humble guests" in the ocean ecosystem.

Pacific Grove mayor Nick Smith expressed condolences, saying the tragedy deeply affected the small community. Friends described Fox as a bright light who lived boldly despite knowing the ocean's risks.