Crime & Safety
Coast Guard Ends Search for Missing Paddleboarder
Jeffrey Comer, 50, of Harbour Island, was last seen leaving his apartment with his paddleboard Saturday. The board washed ashore in Manatee County later that night with his personal belongings.
The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended its search for a missing Harbour Island paddleboarder, the Tampa Bay Times reports.
The agency spent more than two days looking for Jeffrey Comer, 50, who was last seen . The board later washed ashore in Manatee County along with his wallet, car keys and cell phone. His car was later found at Fort DeSoto Park.
Authorities performed a total of 23 searches and spent a combined 55 hours searching, the Times reports.
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"It's always unfortunate when we have to suspend a search, because our main focus is to locate the individual and return him safely to his family," said Lt. Ben O'Loughlin, command duty officer at Sector St. Petersburg, in a statement posted by the Times. "Our thoughts and prayers remain with the family and friends of Mr. Comer."
Comer was a competition paddleboarder with no known medical problems and no history of mental illness, authorities said.
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Anybody with information about Comer is asked to contact the Coast Guard at (727) 824-7506.
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