The body of firefighter Connor J. Lees was recovered off the coast of Long Beach on Friday, nearly four months after he went missing during a recreational dive. The Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed the news, expressing deep sorrow for the loss of their colleague.
Lees, 29, vanished on December 4 while diving near Pier J. He was part of a group of four men who set out for a free dive, which involves swimming underwater without any breathing equipment. While three of the divers entered the water, one man stayed on the boat. When only two divers resurfaced, the group called for help.
Rescue teams from the Long Beach and Los Angeles fire departments, along with the U.S. Coast Guard and local police, began searching for Lees immediately. Unfortunately, two days later, the search was shifted to a recovery mission due to challenging water conditions and concerns about his survival.
In a statement, the LAFD said, “We stand united in grief alongside Firefighter Lees’ family, friends, and colleagues. We extend our deepest condolences to all who knew and loved him.”
Lees had been a dedicated member of the LAFD for six years and was assigned to Fire Station 94 in Baldwin Hills. His family and friends remembered him as someone who cherished the ocean and everything it represented in his life. They expressed their love for him in a heartfelt message shared on a GoFundMe page established after his disappearance.
The community mourns the loss of a firefighter who gave so much to others.