Body of missing Fla. Panhandle man found in bay

Body of Fla. Panhandle man missing since Oct. 29 found in Choctawhatchee Bay

Published On: Nov 05 2012 07:46:43 AM EST   Updated On: Nov 06 2012 12:53:45 PM EST
MARY ESTHER, Fla. -

Authorities say the body of a missing boater has been recovered in the Choctawhatchee Bay in Florida's Panhandle.

Reports say a boater called 911 Sunday after spotting a body in the middle of the bay. Officials say it was 41-year-old Robert Shawn Gregory who had been missing since Monday.

Officials say Gregory and his 18-year-old nephew Tyler Carpenter went gigging for flounder early in the morning of Oct. 29. Their boat started taking on water and flipped, spilling both men into the bay.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokesman Stan Kirkland says they found one life jacket which was given to Carpenter, who swam to safety. A passing motorist spotted him in the water.

The wildlife agency is investigating.

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