The body of Conner J. Lees, a firefighter with the Los Angeles Fire Department, was found off the coast of Long Beach on Friday, nearly four months after he went missing during a recreational dive. Lees, 29, disappeared on December 4, 2024, while diving near Pier J with friends.
According to the fire department, the Long Beach Police recovered his remains. In a statement, the LAFD expressed its deep sorrow, saying, “The LAFD stands united in grief alongside Firefighter Lees’ family, friends, and colleagues. We extend our deepest condolences to all who knew and loved him.”
Lees was a six-year veteran of the department, assigned to Fire Station 94 in Baldwin Hills. On the day he went missing, he was part of a group of four men in their 20s who set out to free dive, which is a form of diving without the use of breathing apparatus. While three of the divers entered the water, one 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. However, two days later, the search turned into a recovery mission due to unfavorable water conditions and concerns about his survival.
Friends and family shared their love for Lees, stating that he had a deep connection to the water. A GoFundMe page set up after his disappearance reflected this sentiment, emphasizing how the ocean shaped his life and character.
The tragic loss of firefighter Conner J. Lees has deeply affected his community and colleagues, who remember him not only as a dedicated firefighter but as a passionate individual who loved the sea.