Andrew Willis, a 41-year-old man, went missing on May 29, 1997, in Santa Cruz, California. On the day before his 42nd birthday, he was fishing with his cousin and a friend from a 20-foot cliff off West Cliff Drive. Tragedy struck when an ocean wave swept Willis off the rocks, pulling him underwater. Rescue efforts were immediately launched, and despite spotting his body twice during a five-hour search, the rescue personnel were unable to retrieve him due to the dangerous conditions of the
water. He is presumed to have drowned, although his body was never recovered.
Willis was described as an African-American man with black hair, brown eyes, and was 5'5" tall, weighing around 140 pounds at the time of his disappearance. He was last seen wearing a blue t-shirt, blue pants, and a blue hat. The case remains classified as a "lost/injured missing" person case by local authorities, and the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Department handled the investigation.
Despite the extensive search efforts, Andrew Willis' body was never found, leaving his family and friends without closure. His case continues to be listed among other unresolved disappearances in California, underscoring the dangers of ocean fishing and the unpredictable nature of the sea.Last Seen: May 29, 1997
