Authorities search for missing woman in Biscayne Bay

Jacksonville woman reported missing after boat returned to Matheson Hammock Park

MIAMI – The U.S. Coast Guard is assisting Miami-Dade police and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers in the search for a woman who disappeared from a boat in Biscayne Bay.

A 26-year-old Jacksonville woman, later identified as Lauren Lamar, was reported missing by two friends with whom she was on board the 29-foot boat.

Lamar was reported missing after the boat returned from Stiltsville, a cluster of homes on pilings in Biscayne Bay, to Matheson Hammock Park about 10 p.m. Sunday.

"When they arrived at Matheson Hammock, the two people on board the vessel realized that they were missing one person," FWC Officer Jorge Pino said. "How that happened, we don't know."

Pino said the friends, identified by police as Russell Bruce, 45, and Alicia Bartolota, 28, claimed they thought she was sleeping below deck.

"I don't know if I've ever heard of someone falling off the boat, especially when there's only three people on board, and the two people that are left on board not realize that that happened," Pino said.

Helicopters, boats and divers spent Monday searching a three-mile radius of Biscayne Bay in search of Lamar. By nightfall, however, the search was called off.

Miami-Dade police Detective Alvaro Zabaleta said the two boaters were being interviewed by investigators.

Police are also investigating whether alcohol may have played a role in the incident.

The FWC is the lead investigating agency.

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