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Clearwater man found dead in Gulf of Mexico had been reported missing

 
Published Dec. 2, 2015

CLEARWATER — A man found dead in the Gulf of Mexico Tuesday morning had been reported missing Monday after failing to show up for work.

Daniel James Austin, 60, of Clearwater had last been heard from on Sunday, police said. On Tuesday, at about 10:45 a.m., a boater found his body snagged on the rope of a crab trap, about 2 miles west of Clearwater Beach.

He had been wearing blue swim trunks. His belongings were found on north Clearwater Beach.

Clearwater Fire & Rescue and the Coast Guard recovered Austin's body. He was transported to the U.S. Coast Guard station on Sand Key by Fire & Rescue.

The Pinellas-Pasco Medical Examiner's Office will perform an autopsy Wednesday, police said.