Cotati woman who drowned at Sonoma Coast State Park there to memorialize son, sheriff says

A 75-year-old Cotati woman who drowned Friday in the ocean off Goat Rock at Sonoma Coast State Park had come to the beach to memorialize her oldest son who died a year ago, Sonoma County sheriff’s officials said Saturday.

Evelyn Moore was standing at the edge of the surf and had thrown flowers into the water when several large waves knocked her off balance and swept her out to sea, according to Sheriff’s Sgt. Spencer Crum.

A 55-year old Santa Rosa woman who was with Moore attempted to save her, officials said. Gregg Knapp, a state parks lifeguard, swam out and retrieved her and started CPR, according to Crum.

The attempts to revive her were unsuccessful and Moore was pronounced dead at 1:32 p.m., Lt. John Molinari said Friday.

Attempts to reach members of Moore’s family Saturday were unsuccessful. Responding agencies included state parks, the Monte Rio Fire Protection District, the Bodega Bay Fire Protection District and the Sheriff’s Office, which sent its helicopter to assist.

You can reach Staff Writer J.D. Morris at 707-521-5337 or jd.morris@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @thejdmorris.