California: Jessy Cook found dead after plunging off Huntington Beach pier Tuesday
Authorities on Friday identified a body discovered at Huntington Beach as the 18-year-old woman who disappeared earlier this week after plunging off the pier.
Jessy Cook, 18, from Temecula, went into the water Tuesday and her disappearance was reported to the Coast Guard around 11:40 p.m.
Witnesses said it was unclear if Cook jumped or fell off the pier.
Jessy Cook photo/ Instagram
A body was found in the ocean near Tower 7 Thursday afternoon. A spokesperson from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department identified that individual as Cook.
Multiple agencies joined in the search, which concluded about 10:30 a.m. Wednesday after nearly 137 square nautical miles were covered without success.
“The Coast Guard and partner agencies searched for approximately 11 hours covering nearly 137 square nautical miles,” a Coast Guard statement said.
“The cold is definitely our biggest concern,” Ippolito said, adding that the water temperature was about 60 degrees.
Crews also searched the beach on the chance Cook came ashore on her own, Ippolito said.
Officials initially dispatched a 45-foot response boat, a helicopter and the Coast Guard Cutter Narwhal to search for Cook. Huntington Beach police, Huntington Beach lifeguards and Orange County sheriffs are also involved in the search.
No further information was immediately released.
