July 13, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Rancho Palos Verdes Search For Missing Cliff Jumper Reaches Day Four:

A team of special divers will resume their search this morning, conditions permitting, for an 18-year-old swimmer missing since Wednesday and presumed drowned off Rancho Palos Verdes.

The search for Joseph Sanchez of Long Beach was suspended for the day late Friday afternoon, said Peter Gomez of the Sheriff’s Headquarters Bureau.

The divers scoured a cave near Inspiration Point with poor visibility in search of Sanchez, who is thought to have drowned while cliff jumping with friends, authorities said.

Sanchez got into trouble in the surging waters and was pulled onto some rocks by a friend, Toogee Zepeda, who then went to find help.

When Zepeda returned, Sanchez was missing. The search operation began about 3 p.m. Wednesday.

Sheriff’s spokeswoman Nicole Nishida said in addition to the divers, several helicopters and six boats patrolled the surf along the shore in search of the missing man.

The search was being conducted by divers from the Sheriff’s Emergency Services Bureau, part of the Special Enforcement Bureau, in the area where Sanchez was last seen, according to sheriff’s Sgt. Thomas Giandomenico.

“The area in the back is most likely, possibly where the victim would be and is where the cave divers are working now. Visibility is horrible,” Giandomenico said.

The search was a challenge because waves entering the cave create a current.

“The current comes in. It stays in,” Giandomenico said. “It creates a blow hole in the back of this cave that basically takes the divers and tosses them around like in a washer machine.”

The waves and tide have lessened since Wednesday, making Giandomenico hopeful Sanchez will be found. He said rescuers believe it is unlikely the victim washed out of the cave due to the strong currents.

An aerial search team was due to scour the coast, including caves and coves from San Pedro to Malibu, he said.

Divers spent more than eight hours on Thursday searching for Sanchez, whose family members watched the recovery mission from the top of Inspiration Point from under a tent, with a sheriff’s chaplain on hand for support, according to the sheriff’s department.

Over the Fourth of July weekend, several other rescues were made in the same general area, where jumping into a tidal pool known as Sacred Cove is popular.

Public access to the area, including Inspiration Point and Portuguese Point, was restricted until sundown Sunday, the Los Angeles County Fire Department announced.

in News
<>Related Posts

County Health Leaders Decry Federal Policy Barring Undocumented from Programs

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

The officials argued the policy jeopardizes care for all residents, noting it could deter people—regardless of status—from seeking treatment  Leaders...

County Supervisors Move to Preserve Measure J Amid Charter Error

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

Measure J mandates that at least 10% of the county’s locally generated, unrestricted funds be allocated to community investments like...

LA Medical Center Seeks Help Identifying Unconscious Patient

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

He has been unconscious since admission, and staff have been unable to determine his identity Los Angeles General Medical Center,...

Mayor Bass Issues Directive to Protect Immigrant Communities

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

The order expands access to city resources for affected families and requests records from ICE, including details on arrests Mayor...

Downtown Santa Monica CEO Andrew Thomas to Step Down

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Thomas, who rejoined DTSM, Inc. in 2022, oversaw the introduction of a private security program, expanded homeless outreach, and boosted...

Conservancy to Tour Historic Miles Playhouse at State of the City Event

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Built in 1929, the Miles Playhouse serves as the centerpiece of Lincoln Park The Santa Monica Conservancy will offer 15-minute...

Sen. Ben Allen Highlights Challenges, Economic Gains for LA28 Olympics

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

The remarks came during the first informational hearing of the Senate’s Special Committee on International Sporting Events State Sen. Ben...

(Video) Summer Camp at School of Rock West LA Turns Kids Into Rockstars

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

To Sign Up Now, Go To Schoolofrock.com Summer Camp at School of Rock West LA Turns Kids Into Rockstars To...

L.A. Louver Marks David Hockney’s 88th with Exhibit

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Hockney, a British artist born in 1937, gained fame with the British Pop Art movement and later became known for...

Suspect Arrested in Shoe Retail Theft Spree Across LA County

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

During the search, police recovered two firearms and a significant quantity of merchandise The Los Angeles Police Department’s Organized Retail...

Suspect Arrested in Santa Monica Pier Arson Incidents

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

The suspect, matching video footage from an arcade, was taken into custody Santa Monica Police Department officers arrested a suspect...

SMPD Launch New Recruitment Website Amid High Vacancy Rates

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

The site features multimedia content, including day-in-the-life videos and officer profiles, highlighting the impact of serving the community The Santa...

Father-Daughter Authors to Host Book Signing to Aid Fire-Affected Women

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

Ten percent of proceeds from book and art sales will benefit the Pacific Palisades Rebuilding Fund, a nonprofit initiative created...

Metro Reports Crime Drop, Higher Rider Satisfaction, and Progress on Major Projects

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The Authority said the drop in violent incidents—down to the lowest level since May 2019—coincided with more uniformed personnel and...

Santa Monica Joins Regional Lawsuit to Halt Unconstitutional ICE Raids

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The motion to intervene seeks to ensure that Santa Monica and other plaintiff-intervenors can advocate for their residents’ rights in...