Body of missing LA firefighter recovered from Long Beach waters months after initial disappearance

LONG BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- The body of a missing diver, an off-duty Los Angeles firefighter, was recovered from the waters off Long Beach almost four months after he was initially reported missing, the fire department announced Saturday.

The body of 29-year-old Firefighter Connor J. Lees was recovered Friday by the Long Beach Police Department, according to a statement from the Los Angeles Fire Department, which expressed its "profound sadness.''

"Firefighter Lees, 29, was a dedicated member of the Los Angeles City Fire Department for six years, serving with distinction at Fire Station 94 B Platoon in the Baldwin Hills/Crenshaw community," LAFD said in a post on Instagram.

Lees went missing on Dec. 4, 2024 while he and three other friends went out on a boat lobster fishing near the Long Beach port area. Three went into the water for about 45 minutes but only two returned to the boat.

Long Beach first responders were called around 9:45 p.m. to help search for the missing diver. He was last seen in the area near Pier J and 1600 S. Harbor Scenic Way.

After at least 19 hours of searching for Lees, authorities presumed him dead.

His body was recovered on March 28, almost four months since his initial disappearance.

City News Service contributed to this report.