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Authorities find body of missing swimmer off Indian Rocks Beach

 
Published July 11, 2016

INDIAN ROCKS BEACH — A swimmer who went missing Saturday afternoon about 10 miles offshore was found dead by authorities hours later, according to the Cost Guard.

Michael Cowles, 53, was on a pleasure boat called the "Bahama Mama" when he decided to take a dip in the water at about noon to cool off, said Coast Guard spokesman Michael De Nyse. Cowles, of Tampa, was wearing denim shorts and yellow shirt. He was not wearing a life jacket.

When he didn't resurface, the boat's operator reported the incident to the Coast Guard. A search commenced involving vessels from several agencies, including the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Tampa Fire Rescue and the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

Pinellas sheriff's deputies found Cowles' body at about 7:30 p.m. in the same area off Indian Rocks Beach where he went missing, De Nyse said.

"It's always disappointing when we go out on a search and we can't come back with positive results," he said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family."