Shark Discovery Leads to New Questions in Missing Woman Case
The remains of a 68-year-old American woman, Colleen Monfore, have been found inside the stomach of a shark, two weeks after she disappeared while diving in Indonesia. While initial reports suggested that the shark had attacked and eaten Monfore, a friend of the woman now believes that the evidence points to a different scenario.
According to Kim Sass, a close friend of Monfore’s, the shark that was found with Monfore’s remains was caught in Timor-Leste, a country about 70 miles away from the dive site where Monfore vanished. Sass argues that if the shark had attacked and eaten Monfore at the time of her disappearance, her remains would not have been identifiable.
Sass explained that sharks have a strong stomach acid that can dissolve metal, and their intestines are small enough to prevent large bones and other indigestible objects from passing through. Given the time between Monfore’s disappearance and the discovery of the shark, Sass believes that the shark consumed Monfore’s body after she had already died.
To support her theory, Sass cited the fact that Monfore’s fingerprints were identifiable, which would not have been possible if the shark had attacked her weeks ago. Additionally, Sass shared dive information, photos, and witness accounts that suggest Monfore was in shallow water with a half tank of air when the group turned around due to a change in the current.
While the exact cause of Monfore’s death remains unclear, Sass believes that it was likely a medical issue rather than a shark attack or environmental factors. As the investigation continues, authorities are working to determine the circumstances surrounding Monfore’s disappearance and death.