The scenario seems ripped straight from a horror classic like Jaws, but this tragic news is, sadly, very real. American triathlete Erica Fox was attacked by a shark on December 21 while taking part in a swim training session off the coast of California. Training partners – including her husband – witnessed her being dragged underwater by the animal. Now, more than a week later, her remains have been discovered some 40 kilometers from the site of the attack.
Just days before Christmas, Fox was swimming with a group of thirteen athletes in the waters off Santa Cruz. When she was attacked and pulled underwater by the shark – the species has not been officially identified – her husband was swimming approximately 100 meters behind her. Several witnesses reported seeing the shark briefly swimming with Fox’s body held in its jaws before disappearing beneath the surface. Neither the shark nor Fox was seen again after that moment.
Several days later, Fox’s remains were eventually recovered near Davenport Beach, roughly 40 kilometers from where the fatal incident occurred.