The body of off-duty Los Angeles firefighter Connor Lees, who went missing last year, has been recovered. Lees, 29, disappeared on December 4, 2024, while free diving with friends off the coast of Long Beach.
Lees was part of a group of four men on a private boat near Pier F Avenue. Three men entered the water for a free diving session, a type of diving without scuba gear, while one stayed behind to drive the boat. Shortly after, only two of the men resurfaced. Authorities were notified, and search efforts began within 20 minutes, but the search was called off the next day, with Lees presumed dead.
On Saturday, the Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed on social media that Lees’ body was found in the waters off Long Beach on Friday. Former LAFD Chief Kristen Crowley mentioned at a December press conference that Lees had served with the department for six years.
“We stand united in grief alongside FF Lee’s family, friends and colleagues,” the post read. “We extend our deepest condolences to all who knew and loved him.”
Last month, Crowley was removed from her position by Mayor Karen Bass following the Los Angeles wildfires.
“Acting in the best interests of Los Angeles’ public safety, and for the operations of the Los Angeles Fire Department, I have removed Kristin Crowley as Fire Chief,” Bass said in a statement. “We know that 1,000 firefighters that could have been on duty on the morning the fires broke out were instead sent home on Chief Crowley’s watch. Furthermore, a necessary step to an investigation was the President of the Fire Commission telling Chief Crowley to do an after action report on the fires. The Chief refused. These require her removal. The heroism of our firefighters – during the Palisades fire and every single day – is without question. Bringing new leadership to the Fire Department is what our city needs.”
“While the Department is in the experienced and expert hands of Chief Villanueva, my office will lead a national search and I will speak directly with firefighters and Angelenos about what they want to see in their next permanent chief,” Bass added.
Ronnie Villanueva has been a part of the Los Angeles Fire Department for 41 years. Villanueva had been retired for 7 months.
In a statement on X, Bass said, “Acting in the best interests of Los Angeles’ public safety, and for the operations of the Los Angeles Fire Department, I have removed Kristin Crowley as Fire Chief.”
