SANTA CRUZ COUNTY – On February 25, 2025 at approximately 10:30 a.m., emergency personnel responded to reports of a person who had jumped off a cliff and into the ocean at Wilder Ranch State Park.

Witnesses stated that the man who jumped had attempted to swim back to shore but was prevented by strong currents and waves. Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputies, CALFIRE, Santa Cruz City Fire, State Parks, Harbor Patrol, Santa Cruz County Fire, Central Fire, and the Coast Guard, actively searched for the individual using drones and other air and water resources, but the man was not located.

The identity of the man was not released.

“We very much appreciate the immense effort by these first responders to locate the subject that witness stated had jumped off a cliff and was in the water.  These responses can be stressful for all involved,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.