Who is Jonathan Michael Christy? Coast Guard suspends search for missing swimmer off the Florida coast
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA: Jonathan Michael Christy, a 46-year-old man was reported missing while swimming off the Florida beach.
On Saturday, October 14, he was last spotted at around 2.30 pm while he swam in the ocean near Vero Beach's 950 Reed Road, according to the Indian River County Sheriff's Office's statement.
Coast Guard offers condolences to Jonathan Michael Christy's family
On Tuesday evening, October 17, the search for the missing man was suspended after the crews searched nearly 400 square miles spending 45 hours on the search, reports People.
In a post on the Coast Guard's page on X (formerly known as Twitter), Petty Officer Ryan Estrada wrote, "Our deepest condolences are with his family at this difficult time."
#UPDATE #FINAL @USCG suspended searches for Mr. Christy, Tue. night, pending new information.
— USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) October 18, 2023
CG crews searched 389+ square miles, over 45 hours.
"Our deepest condolences are with his family at this difficult time," said Petty Officer Ryan Estrada, CG District 7.#USCG #SAR
Jonathan Michael Christy's wife accompanied him on his trip to swim before his disappearance
According to ABC affiliate WPBF, Eric Flowers, the Indian River County Sheriff said the missing man's wife reported to authorities that Christy would frequently embark on swimming trips.
"He would go out and do laps and he had a snorkel and a mask, and he would go and swim laps for exercise," Flowers told NBC affiliate WPTV.
Christy’s wife would typically accompany her husband on his swimming trips. However, on this fateful day, he disappeared, Flowers said.
"At one point, she looked up, and he wasn't visible,” stated Flowers.
Christy's wife who hoped that he had "gotten out of the water" looked for him along the Vero beach for some time, reported WPTV.
After she realized Christy could not be located, the woman called authorities, Flowers continued.
Do authorities suspect foul play in Jonathan Michael Christy's disappearance?
Before announcing the search being suspended, IRCSO spokesperson Sergeant Kevin Jaworski said investigators were "looking at surveillance video in the area" while they actively investigated his disappearance, reported Treasure Coast Newspapers.
At that time, no foul play was suspected in Christy's missing, as per the outlet.
Several men reported missing off the Indian County's coast
According to VeroNews, at least three similar incidents of men disappearing have been reported in recent years.
In early January, a man named Johnny Peters was reported missing. He jumped into the water after having a drink at Ocean Driver's Waldo's Restaurant.
Two boaters went missing in the last two years. In August 2021, Donald Walter disappeared while kayaking. In May 2022, Dale Allen vanished after he embarked on a solo boat trip out of the Fort Pierce Inlet, according to People.