On Monday, December 7th, at about 12:00pm, Humboldt County Sheriff’s Special Services deputies were dispatched to the North Jetty of Humboldt Bay for the report of a female victim who had been swept into the ocean.
Deputies arrived on scene and learned that the victim, identified as 65 year old Mary Malouf of Salt Lake City, Utah, had been visiting the area and had come to the beach with her adult son to watch the waves.
Mary Malouf, the executive editor of Salt Lake Magazine, reportedly walked out to the end of the North Jetty wall with her adult son, and while there, a large wave suddenly swept over the wall. Both individuals were knocked off their feet by the surge. The male victim was able to hold onto the jetty rocks, however Malouf was swept out to sea.
The United States Coast Guard, Samoa Peninsula Fire District and Humboldt Bay Fire assisted in the search for Malouf utilizing ground crews, rescue boats and a helicopter. At about 1:00pm, crews located and recovered Malouf from the water.
Malouf was transported via helicopter to a local hospital where she was pronounced deceased.
