The U.S. Coast Guard announced Sunday that it has called off the search for a missing diver in Florida who went missing while freediving during an exploratory trip to a World War II-era shipwreck.
In a post on X, the U.S. Coast Guard confirmed the identity of the missing diver as Virgil Price, 39.
The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office said Price, a West Palm Beach resident, was skin diving in the area of the Halsey wreck on Sunday, but was unable to surface during his last known dive.
Deputies confirmed the area is approximately 13 miles southeast of Fort Pierce Inlet.
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The U.S. Coast Guard has called off the search for missing Florida diver Virgil Price. (St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office/Matthew Passa)
Authorities said Price was last seen wearing a green wetsuit with an orange stripe on the hood, yellow weights on a weight belt and black carbon fiber fins.
“It is with great sadness that we share that the freediver reported missing in St. Lucie County is our team member, Virgil Price. Virgil was family to us and loved by many. This is an incredibly difficult time for him as he was a dear friend,” the Florida State newspaper said. Freedivers wrote in a Facebook post.
Deputies announced Tuesday that the body had been recovered but did not match the description of the missing diver.
“The U.S. Coast Guard is leading this investigation and is working with the medical examiner to determine the cause of death and approximate time of death. The body does not appear to have been in the water for an extended period of time.” the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office wrote.
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A friend told Fox News Digital that Virgil Price is one of the best divers in Florida. (Matthew Passa)
The discovery of the body came just hours after the U.S. Coast Guard called off the search for Price.
“The decision to discontinue an active search is not taken lightly and our deepest sympathies go out to Mr. Price’s family,” LCDR’s John Beale wrote in a post on X.
Beal said the search for Price was suspended Monday night pending new information after searching more than 1,415 miles over 36 hours.
Christian Dahler, a close friend and former colleague of Mr. Price, told Fox News Digital that he had never met anyone as passionate about exploring the nooks and crannies of the ocean as Mr. Price. He also said Mr Price never dived alone and always had other divers with him.
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Virgil Price was a well-known and beloved Florida-based freediver who went missing while diving on Sunday. (Matthew Passa)
“I have never met anyone in my life who was so happy just to be in the water, whether there were fish or not. “I’ve never met anyone with more heart than Virgil,” Dahler said.
Mr Dahler said the news of Mr Price’s disappearance was shocking and heartbreaking. He added that Price is on Team USA freedivers and intends to compete in multiple competitions around the world.
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“He is the best freediver I personally know. One of the best freedivers in Florida, if not the best. He is well known in the Florida freediving community. Not just because of the accolades and accomplishments he achieved, but also simply because of how he helped the diving community and the way he freedived. and have mentored many people,” Deller said.
