Search ends for California man who went missing while swimming Christmas Day at ‘Anini Beach

The multi-agency search for a California man who went missing on Christmas Day while swimming in waters off Kaua‘i has ended.

The Kaua‘i Police Department reported the search for 56-year-old Prakash Shroff was suspended Wednesday afternoon after a four-day effort by land, air and sea to find him. Shroff is being reported as Kaua‘i’s 12 drowning in 2022.

“Our hearts go out to Prakash’s family and friends during this difficult time,” said Kaua‘i Police Department Investigative Services Bureau Capt. Paul Applegate. “We appreciate all agencies and everyone involved in our attempt to locate Prakash. We also thank the Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas for allowing our rescuers access to their property during the search.”

According to a preliminary report, Shroff was swimming with two family members shortly after 1 p.m. Dec. 25 at ‘Anini Beach when they became distressed. Two individuals made it safely back to shore with the assistance of bystanders, but Shroff could not be located.

The search was conducted by a team of rescuers including Kaua‘i firefighters, Kaua‘i County Ocean Safety Bureau officers, Kaua‘i police, Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement officers and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Volunteers with the Visitor Aloha Society of Kaua‘i, a nonprofit providing emergency needs for visitors, and Life’s Bridges, a grief counseling service, assisted Shroff’s family throughout the four-day search. American Medical Response also responded to the incident Dec. 25.