U.S. Coast Guard Locates Second Body In Search For Missing Kimberly Family
By Space Coast Daily // June 23, 2016
located debris field 37 miles west of Sanibel
ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA – A second body was recovered Thursday, as the Coast Guard continues to search east of Boca Grande for a family who was reported missing, Tuesday after the family set sail en route to Fort Meyers.
Ace Kimberly, 45, and his three children – Rebecca Kimberly, 17, Donald Kimberly, 15, and Roger Kimberly, 13 were last heard from Sunday afternoon after departing Sarasota en route to Fort Myers.
At approximately 10 a.m. Wednesday, an HC-130 Hercules rescue aircrew from Air Station Clearwater located a debris field 37 miles west of Sanibel. The debris field contained items such as water jugs, tarps, six life jackets, a throwable life ring, a propane tank, a pair of shoes and a basketball. Surface assets are investigating the debris.
At 12:35 p.m. Wednesday, a crew from Station Fort Myers Beach located a green sit-in kayak in the vicinity of the original debris field matching the description of a kayak known to be with the family. The Coast Guard was able to attribute all of the debris to the ongoing search for the missing sailboat.
At 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, an MH-60 Helicopter crew from Air Station Clearwater located and recovered a body approximately 40 nautical miles west of Sanibel. The body was transferred to local authorities for identification.
At 1:15 a.m. Thursday an HC130-Hercules fixed-wing aircrew from Air Station Clearwater located a yellow kayak matching the description of a kayak also known to be with the family.
At 2:26 a.m. Thursday a Jayhawk crew and a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boatcrew witnessed a white flare while conducting the search.
At 8:13 a.m Thursday a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boatcrew from Station Fort Myers Beach located a bucket in the search area containing the Kimberly’s birth certificates, a GPS, a wallet, two cell phones, cigarettes, a tool box and a pool noodle.
At 11:06 a.m. Thursday Cape Coral Fire and Rescue recovered a second body 4 miles southeast of location of first body.
At 11:55 a.m. Thursday a Customs and Boarder Protection aircraft located a sailboat mast 101 miles offshore Fort Myers, Florida. The Coast Guard Cutter Alligator is en route to investigate.
Crews from the Coast Guard Cutter Alligator, Station Fort Myers Beach, Station Cortez, helicopter and fix-wing aircrews from Air Station Clearwater, Coast Guard Auxiliary and Customs and Border Protection are searching for the family.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Air Force are also aiding in the search.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the Kimberly family is asked to contact the Coast Guard in St. Petersburg at 727-824-7506.
