“HER FAMILY IS DESPERATELY WAITING FOR ANSWERS” — SEARCH CALLED OFF FOR 27-YEAR-OLD WOMAN WHO DISAPPEARED WHILE KAYAKING

Samantha Youngs vanished near the Southern California coastline, leaving behind a family desperate to find out what happened. After an extensive search covering hundreds of square miles, authorities have suspended active search operations.

A desperate search for a 27-year-old woman who disappeared while kayaking off the coast of San Diego has been suspended, leaving her loved ones facing an agonising wait for answers.

Samantha Youngs was reported missing on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, after her family became concerned when they could no longer reach her. Authorities believe she may have been kayaking near Black’s Beach, beneath the coastal bluffs in the La Jolla area of San Diego, California.

Her disappearance prompted a large-scale response involving the U.S. Coast Guard, San Diego police and local lifeguards. Despite hours of searching the surrounding waters, crews were unable to locate her.

HER CAR WAS FOUND NEAR THE COAST

According to authorities, Youngs’ vehicle was discovered in the cliffside parking lot at Torrey Pines Gliderport.

Investigators believe she may have taken her kayak into the water near Black’s Beach, although the exact circumstances of her disappearance remain unclear.

Her family last heard from her shortly before 8 p.m. on Monday, October 12. At approximately 6 a.m. the following morning, Coast Guard personnel received notification that Youngs and her kayak were missing.

San Diego police classified her as a critical missing person and said she was considered at risk. Officials have not publicly explained the circumstances behind that designation.

A MASSIVE SEARCH OPERATION

Rescue crews launched an extensive search of the waters near Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve and La Jolla Shores.

The operation involved Coast Guard personnel from multiple locations, along with San Diego police and lifeguards. Searchers covered approximately 484 square miles of water as they attempted to find any sign of the missing woman.

For more than 11 hours, crews worked to locate Youngs.

But as the hours passed without a breakthrough, authorities eventually made the difficult decision to suspend active search operations at around 6:20 p.m. on October 13.

Commander Celina Ladyga, acting commanding officer of Coast Guard Sector San Diego, acknowledged the painful nature of the decision.

“After exhausting all reasonable search efforts, we have made the difficult decision to suspend active search operations,” she said.

She also expressed sympathy for Youngs’ family and loved ones as they face an incredibly difficult time.

QUESTIONS REMAIN ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED

At this stage, authorities have not publicly established exactly how Youngs disappeared or what happened after she was last heard from.

Her kayak has also been central to the search, with officials believing she may have been on the water near the coastline when she went missing.

The suspension of active search operations does not establish what happened to her, and her whereabouts remain unknown according to the latest reports.

Police have released photographs of Youngs and information about her appearance in the hope that members of the public may be able to provide useful information.

She is described as 27 years old, approximately 5 feet 3 inches tall, weighing around 115 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes. Authorities said her clothing at the time she went missing was unknown.

AUTHORITIES ASK THE PUBLIC FOR HELP

San Diego police are urging anyone who may have information about Youngs’ disappearance to contact the department.

Anyone with relevant information can call the San Diego Police Department Communications Division at 619-531-2000 and reference case number 26-500941.

For her family, the search’s suspension leaves a painful uncertainty. They are still waiting for answers about the young woman they last heard from on Monday evening.

As investigators continue to seek information, the circumstances surrounding Samantha Youngs’ disappearance remain unresolved.

Samantha Youngs remains missing. Her family is still waiting for answers.

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