ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FL — An 18-year-old Florida man who vanished during a bike trip toward the Florida Keys has been found safe, according to the sheriff’s office. Deputies said the rider had been reported missing after he was last known to be traveling through the state on a long-distance trip.
The update brought relief to a case that had drawn attention because of the age of the cyclist and the scope of the journey. Officials said the search ended after the missing rider was located, though the agency did not immediately release additional details about where he was found.
What deputies said about the search
The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post that the young man had been found safe. That announcement came after concern grew around his disappearance during the ride from Jacksonville south toward the Keys.
The sheriff’s office did not include a full account of the circumstances behind the missing-person report in the brief update. No information was immediately provided about injuries, how long he had been missing, or whether anyone else was involved in the trip.
How the bike trip drew attention
The route itself helped make the story stand out. A solo ride from North Florida to the Keys spans a long stretch of highways, bridges and communities, with large gaps between major stops in some areas…