Woman who died after being swept into ocean identified as Fort Bragg resident

MENDOCINO CO., 12/24/25 – A woman who died after being swept out to sea at a Mendocino Coast beach Monday has been identified as 77-year-old Diane Wittig of Fort Bragg, a family member said. 

According to the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office, Wittig was swept off a rock by a large wave and into the ocean. Bystanders pulled her from the water, but she became unresponsive and lost consciousness on the beach. Bystanders attempted resuscitation efforts before first responders arrived, but Wittig was pronounced dead at the scene, the Sheriff’s Office said.