The 53-year-old disappeared while diving off the coast of Spain on Sunday. She held multiple world records and could dive to a depth of more than 300 feet.
Natalia Molchanova reacts after she set a new world record, holding her breath underwater for 7 minutes and 16 seconds, on Aug. 26, 2005.
Fabrice Coffrini / ASSOCIATED PRESS
Natalia Molchanova was diving in the Balearic Sea off the coast of Spain Sunday when she vanished, according to an announcement posted on her Facebook page and on the site of AIDA, a world freediving association. At some point, Molchanova became separated from her peers and was caught in a strong underwater current. She was not wearing fins and had been diving to a depth of more than 100 feet, the statement added.
A search ensued, but by Tuesday had not located Molchanova. Her son, Alexey Molchanov, told the New York Times that it was unlikely she would be found.
"It seems she'll stay in the sea," he said. "I think she would like that."
She held 41 world records and won the freediving world championship 23 times. According to the statement posted Tuesday, she could hold her breath for nine minutes, and had dived to a depth of more than 300 feet.
Her website includes a long list of records and championships that she held.
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