The remains of Colleen Monfore, a 68-year-old American woman from South Dakota, were found inside a shark off the coast of Indonesia.
Monfore had been reported missing on September 26, 2024, after being swept out to sea by strong currents while diving near Pulau Reong island.
How the Michigan Woman Remains Were Found Inside a Shark
Monfore was diving with six friends when the incident occurred. Despite efforts by the boat’s guide, she could not be rescued in time.
Two weeks later, a fisherman noticed a shark in distress and, upon capturing and examining the animal, found human remains along with a wetsuit and bathing suit, which were identified as belonging to Monfore.
Fisherman’s horror as ‘unhealthy looking’ shark found with woman’s remains insidehttps://t.co/JF6ML86b3B pic.twitter.com/kdz3vkmtf9
— The Mirror (@DailyMirror) October 7, 2024
“The shark was caught but it was not in normal health. I thought it had swallowed plastic or a fishing net. It was cut open to find the problem and inside there were the remains of a woman,” the fisherman said.
While initial reports suggested a shark attack, friends and loved ones believe Monfore likely died from a medical issue during the dive, and her body was subsequently consumed by the animal.
Was All This False?
Kim Sass, a dear friend of Colleen who also was with her the day she went missing, posted a statement on Facebook saying that the whole attack narrative was false.
“I’ve easily done 1000+ dive with this gracious woman; she was an excellent diver. I don’t believe it was the environment and certainly not a shark that ended her life.”
She gave some arguments that support the theory that her friend died of a medical problem.
“Colleen’s body was identifiable. Her finger prints (again identifiable) are being used by our US Embassy and the local government for proof of death. This would not be possible if the shark had attacked her weeks ago.”
She also expressed her indignation by clarifying that her husband is very upset because he thinks that if Colleen knew that an animal died because of her, she would be devastated.
“Finally, Colleen’s husband said she would had been heartsick to know a shark died because of her and that her death is giving sharks, once again, a bad name.”
