Family Continues Search for Kayaker

Relatives chartered a plane to continue searching for a woman who may have been blown out to sea while kayaking last week off Doheny State Beach, a friend said Monday.

Claudia Mathieu, 37, was reported missing Thursday, and authorities in boats and helicopters spent the next 24 hours scanning 1,000 square miles of ocean from Dana Point to Catalina Island.

Investigators said it appears Mathieu went kayaking alone on Wednesday, about the same time a small-craft advisory was in effect because of high winds. Her gray kayak is still missing, and her car was found parked at the harbor.

Mathieu’s friend and usual kayaking partner, Gary Lillge, said Sunday’s search turned up no new leads. High winds also limited the search to a few hours, he said. The search did not resume Monday.

“I’m not sure how long we can keep doing this,” said Lillge, who found her car and reported her missing. “It’s been extremely hard on the family and very discouraging.”

Mathieu, of Dana Point, has worked at a veterinary hospital for eight months and is described as an “experienced recreational” kayaker. She is a Chicago native.

Officials said there is no evidence of foul play, and ask anyone with information to call the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at (714) 834-6490.