Coroner IDs Woman Swept Off Laguna Coast

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — Orange County Coroners have identified an Irvine woman who was killed Thursday after being swept out to sea. Irvine resident, Chiawen Keh, 70, was identified as the deceased on Thursday.

On Wednesday evening, an elderly couple was going for a walk while looking at the ocean off Victoria Beach was overtaken by a strong wave Thursday. The husband was rescued, however his wife was swept out to sea in the strong current, Laguna Beach marine safety officers said. Her husband's name was not immediately released.

Both husband and wife were residents of Irvine, according to Laguna Beach Police Dept. Sgt. Jim Cota.

"At that time the ocean was shifting from low tide to high tide, currents change quickly, according to lifeguards," Cota told Patch. "There were strong currents along the shore yesterday evening at that time."

According to Marine Safety Capt. Kai Bond, there was a south swell when the couple was pulled from the rocks.

"Waves of three to five feet and increasing were hitting the area beneath the ocean-front historic Rockledge property where the pair walked about 7:30 p.m.," Bond said. It was 45 minutes from the peak five-foot high tide, which occurred at 8:15 p.m.

The husband was quickly rescued by a good Samaritan, but unfortunately the efforts to save the wife were unsuccessful. She was reported missing at just before 8:15 p.m. Thursday, according to LBPD.

In a search that lasted for approximately two hours, the wife was ultimately found by marine safety officers.

At 10 p.m., emergency responders declared that she had been found and was declared deceased. Her remains were taken to Dana Point Harbor and turned over to the Orange County Coroner’s Office, Marine Safety Officer Kai Bond said.

Police, firefighters, lifeguards and the U.S. Coast Guard were all involved in the search.

"We are very thankful for everyone who participated in the search," Cota said.

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