On December 21, 2013, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a missing person, Operator. Operator lived aboard his 26 foot vessel just to the south of the Niles Channel Bridge in Niles Channel. On December 24, 2013, FWC was made aware of the situation and responded to Niles Channel. Operator skiff, a Mako 17 feet in length, was found with no one onboard, just to the north of Niles Channel Bridge in Niles Channel. The vessel’s motor was in gear and out of fuel. Operator’ body was found a short time later approximately one mile north of the location where the vessel was found. Monroe County Sheriff’s Office is conducting the investigation at this time and we are awaiting the results of the autopsy. This is an active and ongoing investigation at this time.;Subject was found face down in the water not breathing approximately one mile from his vessel.
UNINCORPORATED