Lower Matecumbe – The body of a man was recovered by the United States Coast Guard Sunday morning, about a mile east of the Channel 2 Bridge. It is thought to be that of the man spotted in the early morning hours yelling for help as he floated under the bridge.
The 56 year old man had identification reflecting a North Carolina address and a Vermont address. His vehicle, a Chevrolet Tahoe, was found parked at the bridge and had a Vermont license tag.
Two Miami residents fishing from the bridge reported hearing cries for help at 4:30 a.m. and seeing a man floating from the Oceanside to the bayside of the bridge. After attempting to throw him a rope, they called the Sheriff’s Office. A search ensued using boats and helicopters, but the man was not found. The man’s body was later found by a good Samaritan boater, who reported it to the Coast Guard.
Detective Dan Mehler is assigned to investigate the case. There are no obvious signs of foul play on the body which has been turned over to the Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy to determine the cause of death. Detective Mehler is working to notify the man’s next of kin.