“These calls can be very difficult for witnesses, citizens who attempted to help, and first responders.  We are appreciative of the life-saving efforts and thank all for trying to save the life of this unidentified woman.”

CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

MENDOCINO COUNTY – On December 22, 2025, at approximately 2:00 p.m. California State Parks personnel requested the assistance of the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office in the area of MacKerricher Beach at the MacKerricher State Park.

The emergency responders were told a woman was knocked off a rock by a large wave and swept into the ocean. Bystanders who witnessed the incident were able to rescue the woman from the ocean and brought her back to the shore where she became unresponsive and lost consciousness.

Advanced life-saving measures were performed but were unsuccessful and the woman was pronounced deceased by fire and medical personnel at the scene. Sheriff’s deputies conducted a coroner’s investigation and determined nobody at the scene knew the woman and nobody was visiting the MacKerricher State Park with the person who died. The woman is described as, white and in her 70s with no unique identifying features such as scars or tattoos.  There were no identifying documents with the woman.

No suspicious circumstances were found at the beach as the incident was witnessed by bystanders who rescued the subject from the ocean.

Additional investigative efforts were conducted to include checking unattended vehicles left at the parking area of MacKerricher State Park and inquiring with other local law enforcement agencies regarding possible missing persons reports.

Sheriff’s deputies are still attempting to positively identify the woman.

The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office notified local and regional law enforcement of this investigation and requested to be contacted immediately if other law enforcement agencies are notified of a missing person matching the general description / age of the elderly female from this case.