Search suspended for Alaska woman missing off Na Pali coast
COURTESY PHOTO
Lauren M. Cameron, a 32-year-old visitor from Anchorage, was swept out by strong ocean currents off Hanakapiai Beach on Kauai’s Na Pali coast on Wednesday, authorities said.
A three-day, multiagency search has been suspended for a 32-year-old woman Alaska who went missing while swimming in the waters off Hanakapiai Beach.
Agencies announced Saturday afternoon that they had stopped the search and the Kauai Police Department has identified the woman as Lauren M. Cameron of Anchorage.
The Kauai Fire Department was first to respond to a report of a missing swimmer at Hanakapiai Beach on Wednesday, shortly after 3:10 p.m. According to a release by the Kauai Mayor’s office, Cameron reportedly entered the water and was swept into the ocean by strong currents.
Personnel with the KPD, the Kauai Fire Department, Ocean Safety Bureau, DLNR, Kauai Search and Rescue, and the on-duty KFD Battalion Chief responded to the incident.
“Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Lauren,” said KPD Chief Michael Gibson in a statement. “Thank you to our first responders and partners for their efforts with this search.”
The Coast Guard also responded to a request for help from KFD, sending a HC-130 Hercules airplane crew, an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point and a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew from Coast Guard Station Kauai who searched for approximately 45 hours and covered more than 430 square nautical miles.
Don't miss out on what's happening!
Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It's FREE!
“We are deeply saddened to announce the suspension of our search efforts,” said Lt. Cmdr. Raphael Sadowitz, search and rescue mission coordinator for Coast Guard Sector Honolulu. “Our hearts go out to her loved ones and all those impacted by this heartbreaking event.”
Anyone with information about the missing woman is encouraged call KPD Dispatch at 808-241-1711, leave an anonymous tip by calling Crime Stoppers Kaua‘i at 808-246-8300, submitting a tip at cskauai.org, or through the Crime Stoppers Kaua‘i P3 Tips Mobile App.
