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A tragic discovery was made in Indonesia after the remains of Colleen Monfore, an American tourist, were found inside a shark. Monfore, 68, vanished during a diving excursion near Pulau Reong island, Southwest Maluku Regency, on September 26. The unsettling incident came to light when a fisherman captured a distressed shark two weeks later and found her remains, along with parts of her wetsuit and bathing suit, inside the shark.

Initial reports suggested that Monfore might have been attacked and consumed by the shark. However, Kim Sass, a close friend, disputed this theory. Sass, sharing detailed insights on social media, pointed out that Monfore’s remains were discovered around October 4 near Timor-Leste, approximately 70 miles from the initial diving site. The fact that Monfore's body was still identifiable led Sass to believe that she had already passed away prior to being consumed by the shark.

Sass emphasized that a shark’s digestive acids are potent enough to dissolve metal, making it improbable for Monfore’s remains to be so well-preserved if she had been attacked two weeks earlier. Furthermore, she noted that large bones and other indigestible items are usually blocked from moving past a shark's stomach due to the small size of the intestine opening, according to the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources.

While the exact circumstances of Monfore's death remain unclear, Sass is convinced that a medical issue during the dive might have led to her demise. Citing photos, dive logs, and testimonies from other divers and the group's dive master, Sass indicated that Monfore was in 24 feet of water and likely had half a tank of air when the group started to return due to a current change. Sass, an experienced diver herself, expressed confidence in Monfore's diving skills and dismissed the possibility of environmental factors or a shark attack causing her death.

The investigation continues as authorities seek to determine the precise cause of Monfore's unfortunate demise.