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Remains of missing Dutch woman found in shark in Indonesia

Posted on by Vanessa
Remains of missing Dutch woman found in shark in Indonesia

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HOLLAND – News outlets around the world have reported that a South Dakota woman was eaten alive by a shark near East Timor, but the woman's relatives say that's not the true story.

Colleen Monfore was originally based in the Netherlands, although her family lives in South Dakota. According to property records, she and her husband own a home in Park Township.

Colleen, 68, went missing while on a diving trip in Indonesia with her husband Michael. According to friends and family, she was last seen on September 26th.

Nearly two weeks later, fishermen in East Timor caught an agitated shark and cut human remains – allegedly Colleen's – from its stomach. The shark was killed more than 70 miles from where Colleen disappeared.

On the surface, the equation appears to be akin to a shark attack – but those who knew Colleen best and have their own diving experience find that unlikely.

Kim Sass, a close friend and fellow diver, took to social media on Monday, October 7, to explain that she and Colleen's family believe she died from a medical issue during the trip and was eaten by the shark long afterward. Kim's husband Rick Sass spoke to the New York Post.

According to a report by The Post, the Monfores were on a seven-week diving trip in Indonesia when Colleen disappeared during a group dive. Rick told the Post that Colleen's remains were identified through fingerprints.

“Mike believes she suffered a medical issue in the water,” Rick said.

Kim argued on social media that Colleen would not have been identified if she had been attacked by the shark weeks ago.

Rick told the Post that he, his wife and the Monfores went on many diving trips together.

“They have taken countless diving trips with us over the course of 30 years,” he said. “Bali, the Philippines, Bikini Atoll… she knew what she was doing.”

According to The Post, Mike and Colleen met in high school in South Dakota. They have two children and four grandchildren.

“They were both retired and really enjoying life,” Rick told The Post. “We used to call her 'Saint Colleen.' She was an amazing woman. She loved nature and animals. I know she would never have wanted a shark to be blamed for this tragedy.”

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Rick told the Post that Mike was working to bring his wife's remains home.

“He hardly slept, partly because he is on the phone with Indonesia, which means a time difference of 12 hours,” said Rick. “He's taking calls in the middle of the night, talking to us during the day and just can't sleep because of this terrible thing that happened.”

– Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at [email protected].

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