Two people are missing after base-jumping off Bixby Bridge

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Deputies: Two people are missing after base-jumping off Bixby Bridge in Monterey

Stephanie Magallon, Producer, stephanie.magallon@kionrightnow.com

POSTED: 11:46 AM PST Jan 24, 2016




MONTEREY, Calif. - The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed two people, who were Base-jumping off Bixby Bridge, have been missing since Saturday morning.

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The Sheriff’s Dive Team responded to the search Sunday morning, but deputies said it has been temporarily called off due to high surf conditions
News Channel 5 will continue to update this article as more information comes in.

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UPDATE: Investigators identify base-jumper presumed dead near Bixby Bridge
Mariana Hicks, Reporter, mariana.hicks@kionrightnow.com
Stephanie Magallon, Producer, stephanie.magallon@kionrightnow.com
POSTED: 11:46 AM PST Jan 24, 2016 UPDATED: 01:48 PM PST Jan 25, 2016


Monterey Fire out searching near Bixby Bridge
BIG SUR, Calif. -

UPDATE 1/25/16 1:14 PM: Investigators with the Monterey County Sheriff's Office are releasing more information on the case surrounding two base-jumpers near Bixby Bridge in Big Sur.
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UPDATE: Crews search for missing base-jumper near Bixby Bridge, another reported dead


Sheriff Steve Bernal said a woman, Mary Katherine Connell, jumped down to the water successfully on Saturday. After her jump, investigators said she seemed to struggle in the water and a male instructor from Finland jumped down to help her. Bernal said his jump was successful and his helmet was found on the beach.

Investigators said neither Connell nor the man have been found. They said she's an experienced jumper with about 300 previous attempts.

The Sheriff's Office said it was able to retrieve some video footage, showing both jumpers from different angles. Investigators said both likely drowned.

UPDATE 1/25/16 12:44 PM: A Monterey Fire boat was seen near Bixby Bridge in Big Sur Monday morning, as law enforcement continue searching for a second person missing after a base-jumping accident.

On Sunday, the Monterey County Sheriff's Office said another person is presumed dead.

NewsChannel 5's Mariana Hicks will have more on this story, after a press conference with the Sheriff's Office at 1PM.

UPDATE: 1/24/16 4:30p.m: One person has been reported dead after base-jumping off Bixby Bridge, according to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office.

The base-jumper has not been identified and there is still no word on the second person initially reported missing.

Deputies said they will be holding a press conference on Monday where they will provide more information and possibly release video showing the incident.

ORIGINAL: The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed two people, who were Base-jumping off Bixby Bridge, have been missing since Saturday morning.

The Sheriff’s Dive Team responded to the search Sunday morning, but deputies said it has been temporarily called off due to high surf conditions

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BBody found near Big Sur bridge believed to be Finnish BASE jumper Rami Kajala

Monterey County Herald
Posted: 02/01/2016 10:52:03 AM PST
Updated: 02/01/2016 10:52:28 AM PST


Rami Kajala


Monterey - The body of a male was recovered midday Saturday near the base of the Bixby Creek Bridge, and it is believed to be missing BASE jumper Rami Kajala, said Monterey County Sheriff's Office spokesman John Thornburg.

A sheriff's search and rescue team retrieved the body, nude and partially decomposed, after it was found washed up at the creek mouth earlier Saturday. The body was turned over to the coroner who will be determining its identity and notifying next of kin, Thornburg said.

Kajala, of Finland, parachuted off the world-famous span on Jan. 20. Sheriff Steve Bernal said on Monday it appeared Kajala and Mary Katherine "Katie" Connell drowned after successfully landing on the beach below the bridge. The Sheriff's Office found a helmet camera on the beach, which showed Connell jumping first and being overwhelmed by several large waves shortly after landing. Investigators believe that Kajala went into the water after landing in an attempt to save Connell, of Ventura. Her body has not been found.

A search for the jumpers had been called off. Divers searched the ocean for the pair last weekend. Searches also were made by land and by airplane without results.

Kajala created his own company, Raven, in 2013 to sell gear and he also ran a tracking-specific BASE jumping school. According to Ravenbase.com, he started jumping in 2003 and had 2,300 jumps under his belt.

According to the Sheriff's Office, he was instructing Connell before their jump.