Body of missing SpaceX employee found

BOCA CHICA, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The body of the missing SpaceX employee who was last seen swimming near Boca Chica Beach has been found, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

Background

The Cameron County Sheriff’s Office stated that deputies stationed at SpaceX were notified of a swimmer in distress at Boca Chica Beach.

According to a news release, the Coast Guard received notification from the Cameron County Sheriff’s Office at 7:45 a.m. Sunday morning regarding the man.

At the scene, deputies spoke with a SpaceX employee who reported his co-worker had gone swimming and was not able to swim back to shore.

Deputies witnessed another SpaceX employee go into the water and attempt to reach the swimmer who was more than 50 yards in. The second employee was not able to reach the swimmer due to high tides and strong currents.

The deputies lost sight of the distressed swimmer as he went underwater. The second SpaceX employee was able to walk back to shore safely.

On Sunday, the Coast Guard launched a small response boat crew and an MH-65 Dolphin Helicopter crew to search for the missing man. Other agencies including the Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Texas Department of Public Safety assisted in the search.

On Monday the U.S. Coast Guard suspended the search for a missing man and turned the recovery search over to local authorities.