Arcata Resident Among Three Swept Into Rough Surf in Puerto Rico

Lyza Marie Padilla [Photo from a friend]

The U.S. Coast Guard identified the missing woman as Lyza Marie Padilla Coreano, 34. Padilla, originally from Bayamón, Puerto Rico, lived for years in Arcata and was a member of several local bands, primarily Makena Cumbia and Tropiqueño. Friends in Humboldt County described her as an active and well-known part of the local Latin music community.

According to Univision Puerto Rico, Padilla was taking photos Monday near the rough surf at Cueva del Indio alongside two male tourists from St. Louis, Missouri, when they were struck by a powerful wave. The incident was reported to the 9-1-1 Emergency System at approximately 5:20 p.m.

One of the men, identified as 38-year-old Gabriel Woods, was able to cling to rocks and survived. The body of the second man, identified by local reports as 31-year-old Tony Weiss of Missouri, was recovered Tuesday and taken to the Institute of Forensic Sciences for official identification.

The Coast Guard said that search crews responded immediately and conducted an extensive effort.

“911 dispatchers alerted Sector San Juan watchstanders of three people who were hit by a 12-foot wave in the vicinity of Reserva Natural Cueva del Indio, Arecibo, PR, at approximately 5:20 p.m., Monday,” the Coast Guard said in a statement. “It was reported one person made it to shore in good health.”

Coast Guard and partner agencies searched approximately 850 square miles. As stated above, a body fitting the description of one of the missing persons, Tony Weiss, was recovered during the operation.

On Tuesday evening, Coast Guard Sector San Juan suspended the active search for Padilla pending new information.

“The Coast Guard made the extremely difficult decision to suspend our active search tonight,” said Cmdr. Matthew Romano, a search and rescue mission coordinator for Sector San Juan. “We extend our most heartfelt condolences to the families and hope they find strength and closure during this most difficult time.”

At the time of the search, sea conditions were reported at approximately 12-foot seas with winds between 15 and 25 miles per hour.

Agencies involved in the search included Coast Guard Sector San Juan, Air Station Borinquen, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, the Oficina Municipal para el Manejo de Emergencias, the Puerto Rico Emergency Management Agency, the Civil Air Patrol Puerto Rico Wing, and the Puerto Rico Police Department.

Univision reported that Padilla is the niece of Puerto Rican music producer Ernesto Fidel Padilla, known as “Nesty La Mente Maestra” who publicly asked for assistance in locating her.

“If you’re in the Arecibo area, if you have a boat, drone, camera, if you can help search, share, or simply spread the word… do it. Every minute counts. Every person counts. We haven’t lost faith. We continue to believe. We continue to hope. Help us bring her home,” he wrote on Facebook Tuesday.

As of late Wednesday, Padilla remains missing.