CARMEL, Calif. — Authorities have recovered the body of a child at Garrapata Beach, matching the description of a missing 5-year-old involved in a recent coastal emergency. Officials say the discovery was made around 1:25 p.m. on Sunday, according to Mid Coast Fire Brigade Chief Cheryl Goetz.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has stated that formal identification is still pending, and additional information will be released once the coroner completes the required procedures.
This development follows a tragic incident on Friday, in which 41-year-old Yuji Hu of Calgary, Alberta, lost his life after entering the water to help his 5- and 7-year-old daughters, who had been swept into the ocean. During the effort, Hu was pulled further into the water.
Hu’s wife also attempted to assist but was unable to reach her family and returned to shore, where she was treated for hypothermia. The couple’s 2-year-old child remained unharmed during the incident.
A beach visitor and an off-duty California State Parks officer were able to bring Hu back to shore and provided CPR, but he was later pronounced deceased.
Search operations began immediately on Friday and continued through Saturday with coordinated efforts from multiple agencies. On Sunday, State Parks rangers resumed shoreline searches, which led to the recovery of the child’s body now awaiting identification.
Officials have not released further details at this time. Updates will be provided once the coroner confirms the child’s identity and the necessary notifications to family members have been completed.
