Woman Drowned After 'Monster Wave' Swept Her Into Ocean, Husband Recounts

A California woman died after a large wave swept her and her husband into the ocean, with her final words to him being "Hold my hand." Kaylee Molina, 30, was pulled into the sea by a powerful wave at Sycamore Cove Beach in Ventura County on Wednesday and was subsequently crushed against rocks. Her husband, Roberto Clemente, 32, was also dragged into the water but managed to return to shore and call for help.

Clemente recounted the tragic event in an interview, describing how the couple, who were vacationing from Texas, had gone to the beach to enjoy the sunrise. They had previously visited the beach the day before. As they sat on the sand, they noticed the waves getting closer and decided to move away from the water.

"She tells me, 'hold my hand, hold my hand,' so we’re trying to hold each other’s hands, and before I know it, we’re separated," Clemente said, his voice strained by emotion and a cough from inhaling water.

The waves continued to surge, and the water quickly deepened, submerging them both. Clemente, struggling to breathe, managed to resurface and pull himself to safety using nearby rocks. He saw Molina's body face down in the water.

Clemente stated that Molina did not know how to swim. He pulled her body to shore and attempted CPR, but he was too exhausted from the ordeal to continue. He then frantically called 911, pleading for assistance.

Ventura County officials arrived at the scene at 11:40 a.m. and pronounced Molina dead. First responders transported Clemente to the hospital, where he was informed of his wife's passing.

Clemente described Molina as an outgoing person who loved the water and the beach. The couple had been together for 10 years and were living in El Paso, Texas, where Molina worked as a toll collector. Clemente is a musician and a slot machine technician.

Her family, originally from Indio, California, has initiated a fundraiser to bring her body back to Texas. They expressed that her death has left "a heartbreak in our family that words cannot fully express."

Molina's exact cause of death is currently under investigation. Clemente advised others to be aware of their surroundings at the beach and to know the location of the nearest lifeguard.