The body of five-year-old Amada Mia Brown has been recovered after she was swept out to sea by a large wave at Laguna Beach, California, bringing an end to a search operation lasting more than 30 hours and covering over 90 square miles of ocean.
Amada was walking along the beach with her mother and brother on Tuesday evening when a wave pulled all three into the water. Bystanders rushed in and managed to rescue the mother and her brother, but were unable to reach Amada before she was carried away. Her remains were spotted on Thursday morning.
The search involved boats, divers and aircraft operating in dangerous ocean conditions, with Laguna Beach Marine Safety, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Harbor Patrol and the United States Coast Guard working together throughout. Poor visibility forced the search to be suspended at 9pm on Wednesday, with Laguna Beach Marine Safety shifting personnel to monitoring shoreline and offshore areas, according to MailOnline.
Captain Stacey Crecy, commander of Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach, said: “Suspending a search is an extremely difficult decision. We launched assets and responded as quickly as possible, continuously searching throughout the night and until sunset on June 10, 2026. We worked hand-in-hand with first responders in Laguna Beach to carry out a coordinated and thorough search of the area.”
A vigil was held for Amada on Thursday evening, where her father Aaron Brown spoke to reporters about his daughter’s final moments. “I was hurt, and just thinking about what my daughter might have been going through in her last moments,” he said. “Pretty sure she was scared, and just not being able to be there for her, pretty much the main thing I was thinking about.”
Brown had earlier shared photographs of himself with his daughter on Facebook, writing: “Rest In Peace baby girl I’m so sorry I wasn’t there I miss you so much and love you till I see you again.”
