November 17, 2025 – Monterey County Sheriff’s officials announce they can confirm that the body of a young child swept into the ocean on Friday, November 14, 2025, has been recovered.
On Friday, November 14, 2025, deputies responded to reports of a water rescue at Garrapata State Beach, located along Highway 1 just north of the Rocky Point Restaurant.
During the incident, 39-year-old Yuji Hu, of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, entered the water in an attempt to save his daughter after a powerful wave—estimated at 15 to 20 feet—pulled her from the shoreline. As Hu reached for her, both were carried farther out to sea. The child’s mother entered the water in an effort to assist but was also overtaken by the surf. She was ultimately able to return to shore. A 2-year-old child who was present was not injured.
A beachgoer and an off-duty California State Parks officer were able to bring Hu back to shore and immediately initiated CPR. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased. The child’s mother was treated for hypothermia and subsequently released.
Large-scale search operations were conducted throughout Friday, November 14, and Saturday, November 15, until sunset. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office led the effort with assistance from California State Parks, CAL FIRE, the U.S. Coast Guard, Monterey County Search and Rescue, and California State Parks rescue divers. Helicopter support was provided by the California Highway Patrol, the U.S. Coast Guard, and Naval Air Station Lemoore.
On Sunday, November 16, California State Parks officers and lifeguards remained on scene at Garrapata State Beach. At approximately 1:20 P.M., a diver located a body roughly 100 yards offshore and about half a mile north of the child’s last known location. The diver brought the child to shore and notified State Parks. Monterey County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue assisted with the recovery. The Sheriff’s Office can now confirm that the recovered body is that of the missing child.
The child was initially reported to be 5 years old. Family members who arrived in the area have clarified that she was 7.
California State Parks, Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Continue Search for Missing 5-year-old Swept into Ocean at Garrapata State Park
Related: Father Drowns and 5-Year-Old Daughter Missing After Wave Pulls Family into the Ocean Near Big Sur
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office is aware of social media posts that circulated earlier in the day announcing the recovery. As a matter of procedure and out of respect for the family, official information is not released until next of kin have been notified. Those notifications have now been completed.
The family has expressed their gratitude to all agencies, personnel, and community members involved in the search and recovery efforts. They continue to request privacy and do not wish to make further statements at this time.
Source: Monterey County Sheriff’s Office
