Naval Aircrewman Mechanical 3rd Class Shannon Elizabeth Nunez, 22, died June 8 in Hawaii after jumping off a cliff into Maunalua Bay and getting carried away by the ocean currents.
Nunez was assigned to Patrol Squadron (VP) 4 and based at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, according to Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs.
Rear Adm. Rick Williams, commander of Navy Region Hawaii and Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific, said of Nunez's death:
"This is a tragic loss for our Navy family. This tragedy reminds each of us of the need to heighten awareness and practice greater safety on and off duty."
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports Nunez was spending Sunday with friends at a spot calling Spitting Caves:
Spitting Caves is a popular spot for cliff-jumping in the Portlock. When waves that roll into the cave and hit the back wall, whitewater is "spit" back out of the mouth of the cave.
Nunez jumped 60 feet from the ledge of the cliff into the ocean, then was swept away by strong currents:
Honolulu firefighters and Ocean Safety personnel located the victim and her brought back to shore at Maunalua Bay, where she was pronounced dead by paramedics.
An investigation into the exact cause of Nunez's death is underway, and the Department of the Medical Examiner has conducted an autopsy.
