UPDATE: Body of Missing Child Recovered at Garrapata State Beach
November 17, 2025, 5:20 p.m.
Revovered child identified by Coroner
Update from the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office:
The Monterey County Coroner’s Office has identified the child who died after being swept into the ocean by a large wave at Garapata State Beach on Friday, November 14, 2025.
The child has been identified as Anzi Hu, Age 7, of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Anzi was recovered on Sunday, November 16, following three days of extensive multi-agency search efforts. Her father, Yuji Hu, age 39, of Calgary, Alberta, Canada was pulled from the water on Friday November 14th, after he attempted to save Anzi who had been pulled into the water by a large wave. Yuji was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
Anzi’s mother was treated and released at a local hospital for mild injuries.
The family continues to request privacy as they continue to grieve this tragic loss and has expressed their gratitude to all agencies and community members involved in the search and recovery efforts.
November 16, 2025, 6:34 p.m.
Officials confirm the discovery of the 7-year-old girl swept into the ocean during Friday’s powerful surf conditions along the Big Sur coastline.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that the body of the child swept into the ocean at Garrapata State Beach on Friday has been recovered. The discovery brings a tragic end to a multi-agency search effort that spanned three days along the Big Sur coastline.
The incident occurred on Friday, November 14, 2025, when deputies responded to reports of a family pulled into the ocean by waves estimated at 15 to 20 feet high. According to investigators, 39-year-old Yuji Hu of Calgary, Alberta, entered the water in an effort to rescue his young daughter after she was swept from the shoreline. Both were carried farther out by the surf.
The child’s mother attempted to reach them but was also overtaken by the waves. She managed to return to shore and was treated for hypothermia. A 2-year-old child who was present was not injured.
A beachgoer and an off-duty California State Parks officer were able to pull Hu from the water and began CPR. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.
Large-scale search operations continued through sunset on Friday and resumed throughout Saturday, involving the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, 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 Coast Guard, and Naval Air Station Lemoore.
On Sunday, November 16, California State Parks officers and lifeguards remained at Garrapata State Beach to continue shoreline and water searches. 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 body was brought to shore, and the Sheriff’s Office has confirmed it is the missing child.
Although initial reports indicated the child was 5 years old, family members who traveled to the area later clarified that she was 7.
Officials noted that unverified posts circulated on social media earlier in the day. As standard practice, authorities do not release information about a death until next of kin notifications are complete.
The family has expressed their gratitude to the agencies and community members involved in the search and recovery and continues to request privacy during this time.
November 16, 2025, 1:46 p.m.
Authorities identify the father who died trying to save his 5-year-old daughter as search crews suspend large-scale operations along the Monterey County coastline.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has released new details following a tragic incident at Garrapata State Beach, where a father died after entering the water in an attempt to rescue his young daughter. The child remains missing as officials scale back search operations.
The incident occurred on Friday, November 14, 2025, when emergency crews responded to reports of a family swept into the ocean by powerful waves at Garrapata State Beach, located on Highway 1 just north of the Rocky Point Restaurant.
Authorities have identified the victim as 39-year-old Yuji Hu, a resident of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. According to the Sheriff’s Office, Hu entered the water to save his 5-year-old daughter, who had been pulled from the shoreline by waves estimated between 15 and 20 feet. As Hu reached for her, both were carried farther out by the surf.
The child’s mother attempted to intervene but was also swept into the water. She managed to return to shore and was later transported to a hospital, where she was listed in stable condition with mild hypothermia. A 2-year-old sibling who was present was unharmed.
A beachgoer and an off-duty California State Parks Officer were able to pull Hu from the water and immediately began CPR. Hu and the mother were taken to a local hospital, where Hu was later pronounced deceased.
Search operations resumed at sunrise on Saturday, November 15, with a Unified Command established between the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, California State Parks, CAL FIRE, the U.S. Coast Guard, Monterey County Search and Rescue, and California State Parks rescue divers. A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter also assisted in the effort.
Despite extensive ocean and shoreline searches, the 5-year-old girl remains missing. Officials say she was last seen wearing a white shirt.
Large-scale operations have since been suspended. On Sunday, November 16, California State Parks personnel will remain on site to continue foot searches along the beach and surrounding accessible areas.
A spokesperson for the family has asked for privacy and says they will not be releasing a public statement at this time.
Novermber 15, 2025, 4:16 p.m.
A father is dead and a multi-agency search remains underway after a large wave swept a young family into the water along the Big Sur coast.
A large multi-agency search effort is underway along the Big Sur coast after a 5-year-old girl was swept into the ocean by powerful waves at Garrapata State Beach on Friday afternoon. Her father died after being pulled from the water, and her mother survived with mild hypothermia, according to officials.
The incident occurred just before 1 p.m. on November 14, when an off-duty California State Parks Peace Officer/Lifeguard spotted a family in distress near the shoreline at Garrapata State Beach, north of Rocky Point along Highway 1. According to both California State Parks and the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, waves estimated at 15 to 20 feet high struck the family without warning.
Image: Monterey County Sheriff
A 39-year-old father reportedly entered the water in an attempt to rescue his 5-year-old daughter after she was pulled out by the surge. The mother also tried to reach both of them and was swept in as well. She managed to get back to shore on her own.
The off-duty lifeguard was able to reach the father and began CPR immediately. Both parents were transported to a local hospital, where the father was later pronounced deceased. The mother was listed in stable condition with mild hypothermia. The couple’s 2-year-old child was not injured.
Officials now confirm the missing girl was last seen wearing a white shirt, correcting earlier reports that described the shirt as red.
Search efforts continued until about 9 p.m. Friday, when darkness and deteriorating weather forced recovery crews to suspend operations. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office re-established command of the search early Saturday, working with State Parks lifeguards, Cal Fire, Monterey County Search and Rescue, the California Highway Patrol, and a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew searching by air and water.
Agencies are asking travelers along Highway 1 to avoid stopping near Garrapata State Beach to allow emergency crews enough space to work safely.
The coast in this area is known for unpredictable surf and sudden “sneaker waves,” which can surge far higher and faster than expected.
The search remains active.
Cover image: Monterey County Sheriff
