The person at the center of this case
Mary Katherine Connell
Missing Person · Open - Presumed Deceased
10 years waiting · since 2016
Missing Person: Mary Katherine Connell
Justice for Mary Katherine Connell — the trail went cold in 2016, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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evidence
Lead #1Video footage exists showing Connell's jump and disappearance into the water—what does a detailed analysis of this footage reveal about her trajectory and condition?
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location
Lead #2Why was the search effort apparently limited given video evidence of the incident, and were underwater or coastal searches conducted?
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clue
Lead #3Connell is presumed deceased but her body has never been recovered—what factors affect recovery likelihood in this location given currents and conditions?
Mary Katherine Connell, a 30-year-old BASE jumper, disappeared on January 18, 2016, after jumping from Bixby Bridge in Big Sur, California; video footage shows her disappearing beneath high surf immediately after entering the water. Her companion on the trip was found deceased on the beach below the bridge in late January 2016, and Connell is presumed deceased. The case remains open as her body has not been recovered, leaving questions about the exact circumstances and whether a full search was conducted.
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
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person
Lead #4What was the relationship and experience level of both jumpers, and were they properly trained and equipped for this jump?
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Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP103299. Missing person: Mary Katherine Connell.
Last known contact: 2016-01-18 in Big Sur, Monterey, CA. Circumstances: On 01/18/2016 Missing Person Mary Connell traveled to Bixby Bridge in Big Sur, CA for a BASE-Jumping trip along with friend.
Connell is presumed deceased due to video footage of the jump off Bixby Bridge showing Connell disappearing beneath high surf as soon as she connected with the water. Connell's friend was located, deceased, on the beach underneath Bixby Bridge in late January 2016.
Demographics: 30 years, Female, White / Caucasian. Physical description: 5 ft 10 in, 120 lbs, hair: Brown, eyes: Brown.
Clothing and accessories: Accessories: BASE Jumping Equipment, gear. Investigating agency: Ventura Police Department | 16-01109 | 2016-01-23.
Timeline of Events
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2016-01-18
BASE jump from Bixby Bridge
Mary Katherine Connell jumped from Bixby Bridge in Big Sur with a friend; video footage captured her disappearing beneath high surf immediately upon water contact.
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2016-01-23
Case filed with Ventura Police Department
Ventura Police Department opened case MP103299 on January 23, 2016.
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2016-01-31
Friend's body recovered
Connell's companion on the BASE-jumping trip was located deceased on the beach beneath Bixby Bridge in late January 2016.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:January 18, 2016
Last Updated:July 17, 2026
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Phone: 8053394400
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Case Information
Incident:January 18, 2016
Last Updated:July 17, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 8053394400
You can remain anonymous