The search for freediver Virgil Price took an unexpected turn when water rescuers discovered a different body while searching off the coast of Fort Pierce.
The identity of the mysterious man remains unknown, and he does not match any missing person reports in the area.
The man’s death is also unexplained, with no clear cause of death identified.
The search for Price began when he disappeared during a dive exploring a World War II-era shipwreck called the Halsey wreck, located approximately 13 miles southeast from the shoreline.
The ship, which was sunk by a German U-boat in 1942, is now a popular diving destination and rests at a depth of 65 feet on the ocean floor.
Price’s sister, Brit Drozda, described him as an experienced diver with almost a decade of experience under his belt, capable of holding his breath for over five minutes.
She theorized that he may have been spearfishing when he experienced a blackout, possibly caused by the murky waters and strong currents of the nearby Gulf Stream.
Despite covering more than 1,415 miles in their search for Price, the US Coast Guard decided to suspend its efforts “pending new info.” Lt.
Cmdr.
John Beal expressed his condolences to Price’s family, acknowledging that the decision to suspend an active search is never taken lightly.
Virgil Price was recognized as a “team member” at Florida Freedivers, a sporting goods store in North Palm Beach.
He was last seen wearing a green wetsuit with an orange stripe on the hood, yellow weights on his weight belt, and black carbon fiber fins.