A prominent Florida radiation oncologist took his 33-foot yacht from Naples Bay Resort & Marina on August 10 and disappeared.
On that same day, Chaundre Cross’s wife, SarahJo Cross, filed for divorce in Collier County, Fox News reported. It’s not known if the doctor knew about the divorce filing before he sailed from Naples.
The following day, the US Coast Guard found Cross’s boat, the “Vitamin Sea,” 16 miles south of Sanibel Island, but there were no signs of the 49-year-old doctor.
The Coast Guard spent the next 100 hours pouring over an area of about 13,100 square miles before they suspended their search on Sunday.
“It is always a difficult decision to suspend a search and rescue case,” Capt. Michael Kahle, commander of Sector St. Petersburg, said in a statement released on Sunday. “Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to the family and friends of Dr. Cross during this difficult time.”
Cross’s stepmother, Kathy Cady, posted a statement to Facebook on Monday thanking the Coast Guard and law enforcement.
“During this time of grief, please offer prayers of support and respectful privacy for our family,” she wrote. “Although we now have a void, it will be filled with love, positivity, hope, patience, prayer, and through the Grace of God comfort. Chaundre’s three children and their mother, his father, stepmother, brothers and their wives, sister, grandmother, aunts, uncles, cousins, and long-time close friends thank you for all that was done in the rescue efforts for Chaundre K. Cross, M.D.”
Cross is described as 5-foot-11 and 150 pounds, bald with brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a purple shirt and black pants.
Authorities ask anyone with information to contact the Collier County Sheriff’s Office at 239-252-9300.
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[Featured image: Chaundre Cross/Collier County Sheriff’s Office]