According to the weekly law enforcement report for January 12 through 18, 2024 from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), a missing fisherman was found deceased in Martin County.
The FWC report states that officers Miano, Irwin, and Barghouty assisted the Martin County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Coast Guard with the missing person report. Initial information received noted a vessel that was found adrift north of North Bridge; clothing, and a fishing net were also located on a spoil island south of the unmanned vessel.
Inspection of the vessel revealed no signs of damage from a collision, as well as the discovery of additional personal effects. Law enforcement were able to determine the identity of the owner of the vessel and reached out to the family, who confirmed that the subject had not yet returned home from a night of fishing.
After several days of searching, law enforcement was unable to locate the subject. A good samaritan reported seeing a deceased person near the inlet, who was later identified as the missing fisherman.