A five day search for the remains of a beloved surfer killed in a shark attack at a notorious hotpot while visiting family over Christmas has been called off.
Lance Appleby, 28, was mauled by a suspected great white shark at The Granites on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula on Thursday night.
His body is yet to be recovered at the same beach where another surfer was mauled to death by a great white a year ago.
Authorities called off the extensive search for Mr Appleby’s body on Sunday.
‘Police with the assistance of SES, CFS, Council members including the mayor, and locals have searched the area over the past four days but sadly have not yet located his body,’ a police statement read.
‘Police would like to thank all those who assisted during the tragic incident. A report will be prepared for the State Coroner.’
The news was a blow to Mr Appleby’s family, who are locals to the Eyre Peninsula – an area known for high shark activity.
Another fisherman alerted locals to watch out for an ‘aggressive’ great white at Granite Beach on social media just hours before Mr Appleby was attacked.
The search for the remains of Lance Appleby (pictured) has been called off after five days
Mr Appleby was seen being mauled by a shark off Eyre Peninsula while surfing on Thursday night (pictured, emergency services preparing to search)
‘Large great white sighted acting aggressively near Granites, Streaky Bay,’ the fisherman posted on Facebook.
It’s unknown if Mr Appleby was aware of the warning.
In an emotional tribute on Saturday, Mr Appleby’s brother wrote the family was glad he died ‘doing what he loved’ and will now be ‘forever young, forever surfing, forever loved’.
‘The pain we are feeling as a family is impossible to describe. We are absolutely devastated, and there is a gaping hole in our hearts,’ Kenneth Appleby wrote.
‘The only solace we can find is knowing that Lance was doing what he loved, with a beaming smile on his face.
‘Lance was the best brother we could ever ask for. He was caring, fiercely loyal, compassionate, and always up for an adventure.
‘He wore his heart on his sleeve and was never afraid to express his emotions or talk about them.’
The brother added Mr Appleby had ‘loved sports, travelling, FaceTiming family, coffees, bear hugs, fulfilling his uncle duties, and most of all, spending time with his mates’.
‘We would give anything to have him back. Forever young, forever surfing, forever loved,’ he said.
It’s understood Mr Appleby moved to the Gold Coast in 2023 for work but returned to the Eyre Peninsula over Christmas to visit family.
His workplace, Allconstruct Interiors Pty Ltd, shared a tribute to the 28-year-old, writing: ‘RIP to great young talent Lance Appleby, was a big part of Allconstruct team last year and quickly became friends.’
It’s understood Lance Appleby (pictured) moved to the Gold Coast in 2023 for work but returned to the Eyre Peninsula over Christmas to visit family
Lance Appleby (pictured) is the second surfer in 15 months to be fatally mauled by a shark at The Granites beach
Mr Appleby’s football club, Marble Range, also paid a heartfelt tribute on Saturday night.
‘A talented footballer with a heart of gold who always had a smile on his face or a joke to tell,’ The South Australian-based club said.
‘An all round down to earth person that everyone adored within our community.
‘Lance will be extremely missed by all but is forever part of our history as a member of our 2021 premiership team.’
A GoFundMe for Mr Appleby has raised more than $93,00 within 24 hours.
The page states the funds would go towards a memorial plaque for Mr Appleby and help ease financial pressure on his grieving family
Family friend Jeff Schmucker recalled seeing Mr Appleby being dragged underwater by a the shark.
‘He caught a wave and flipped off the wave and proceeded to paddle back, and he was attacked,’ Mr Schmucker previously told Seven News.
A man on a jet ski raced out to assist Mr Appleby but could only find his board.
‘He confirmed that the board had a bite mark in the bottom and the rope was severed in half,’ Mr Schmucker said.
The local fisherman added the close-knit community had been hit ‘so hard’ by the attack.
‘Lance (pictured, left) was the best brother we could ever ask for. He was caring, fiercely loyal, compassionate, and always up for an adventure,’ his devastated family said
Locals have called for the shark, believed to be a great white, to be hunted down.
‘If they want to do something about it, they should do it now,’ Mr Schmucker said.
‘Fisheries have the power to give a destruction order, but the government doesn’t have the balls.’
Mr Appleby’s death follows that of Tod Gendle, who was killed by a four metre great white shark while surfing at the same beach in October 2023.
