Search for U.S. Army soldier swept out to sea in Big Sur suspended

Authorities suspended the search on Wednesday for the New Jersey man who was swept into the sea in Big Sur last week.

Thirty-five-year-old Amanpreet Thind, a U.S. Army serviceman, was visiting Soberanes Point in Garrapata State Park on Nov. 22 with two friends when a large wave hit the rocks and pulled all three people into the ocean. Thind’s two friends were able to self-rescue and were treated at a local hospital for minor injuries, but Thind remained missing.

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office announced in a news release it would end formal search operations for Thind on Wednesday evening, after they had continued daily during daylight hours since the incident.

The decision was made after four days of “coordinated, intensive” search efforts and consulting regional partners, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Earlier on Wednesday, favorable water conditions allowed the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team and California State Parks Rescue Swimmers to conduct a second consecutive day of in-water operations, the release said. Private diver Juan Heredia of the Angels Recovery Dive Team also assisted in the search, and drones were provided by both California State Parks and the Sheriff’s Office.

Resources will remain on standby should Thind be seen or located, the Sheriff’s Office said.

“The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office extends its deepest sympathies to the Thind family during this painful time,” the agency said. “We also want to recognize and thank all personnel and volunteers who dedicated significant time and effort to this search under challenging ocean conditions.”

The Sheriff’s Office strongly discouraged the public not to conduct independent search efforts in or near the water as ocean conditions along the Big Sur coastline remain “extremely hazardous.”

This was the second similar incident in Big Sur this month. A father and young daughter both died after being swept out to sea from the same location, at Garrapata State Beach, on Nov. 14.

“We ask the community to exercise care and sensitivity when posting information or commentary on social media,” the Sheriff’s Office said. “Public comments can be seen by grieving families and may cause additional harm. Responsible communication helps ensure families receive timely, accurate and compassionate updates from authorized officials.”

This story was originally published November 28, 2025 at 11:03 AM.