A file photo of Lovers Point in Pacific Grove, Calif.

A missing swimmer in Monterey Peninsula was identified by eyewitnesses Monday as multiple area agencies continued, and then later suspended, their search on Lovers Point in Pacific Grove.

Just after noon Sunday, multiple eyewitnesses reported seeing Erica Fox, 55, disappear from the water while she was swimming with other members of the Kelp Krawlers, a Monterey open water swimming group she helped start two decades ago. 

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Fox was one of about 15 swimmers from the group out in the water that morning, Sarah Rubin, who is the editor of Monterey County Now, confirmed. Rubin is also a member of the Kelp Krawlers and was present at the time of Fox’s disappearance.

The city of Monterey said on social media that Fox’s disappearance could be the result of a shark encounter, after eyewitnesses reported seeing a shark in the area. The shark sighting has not been confirmed.

During a Monday phone conversation with SFGATE, Rubin confirmed she was out with the group when Fox disappeared in the water. 

Rubin requested that she not be quoted, saying that she is not going to do any interviews outside of her own publication. She did, however, confirm that Fox was an expert swimmer and a physical presence who was continuously........

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