Second Body Found In Search For Family Missing In Gulf
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TAMPA (CBSMiami/AP) -- The U.S. Coast Guard said they have recovered a second body while searching for a missing family off the coast of Florida.
At approximately 11 a.m. on Thursday, Cape Coral Fire and Rescue recovered a body four miles southeast of the location of the first body.
Less than an hour later, Customs and Border Protection aircraft located a sailboat mast 101 miles offshore Fort Myers.
The second body has not yet been identified.
The family identified the first located body as 17 year old Rebecca Kimberly.
Additionally, more evidence has been found belonging to the family who disappeared over the weekend on a 29-foot sailboat in the Gulf of Mexico, including an indication that one or more of them may still be alive.
Ace Kimberly, 45, and his children; 13-year-old Roger, 15-year-old Donny and 17-year-old Rebecca left Sarasota on Sunday morning for Fort Myers where he planned to have the boat repaired.
Kimberly contacted his brother Sunday afternoon, June 19th, saying they were sailing in "6-foot seas and thunderstorms."
On Tuesday, his brother alerted the Coast Guard when the family didn't return from the trip, prompting a search.
The next day, the agency spotted a debris field about 37 miles off the coast of Sanibel, including a green kayak that contained water jugs, tarps, six life jackets, a life ring, propane tank, pair of shoes and a basketball.
Rebecca's body was also found.
The search continued into the night when more debris was located.
"At Approximately 1:15 in the morning, we found a yellow kayak that fits the description of the one Mr. Kimberly was towing, one of the two he was towing behind his sailboat," said Capt. Gregory Case of the U.S. Coast Guard.
#UPDATE @USCGSoutheast crews located second kayak & witnessed white flare during search https://t.co/HsQm4Ilu6n pic.twitter.com/UKcA5wgAmQ
— USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) June 23, 2016
There was also a small sign of hope.
"One of our response boats from Station Cortez and helicopter saw what they believe to be a media flare rise for about three seconds within the search area," said Capt. Case, who noted it was a "white flare" that witnessed.
Around 8:15 a.m. Thursday, crews found a bucket belonging to the family.
"It contained birth certificates, GPS, wallets, cell phone, cigarettes, a pool noodle and a tool box," said Capt. Case. "And it was approximately five and a half miles west of the location where the body was found."
Crews from the Coast Guard Cutter Alligator, Coast Guard Station Fort Myers Beach, Coast Guard Station Cortez, Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, Coast Guard Auxiliary and Customs and Border Protection are taking part in the search.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Charlotte County Sheriff's Office and Lee County Sheriff's Office are also assisting.
