Maxwell Roberts, a 20-year-old man from Utah, was found dead on Friday after a freediving and spearfishing trip in the ocean off Martin County, Florida. Roberts was one of four people on a boat near the Evinrude Rocks, located about 2.5 miles from the St. Lucie Inlet, when he went missing around noon.
The Search Operation
The Martin County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Marine and Aviation Unit and the Martin County Fire Rescue dive team were the first to respond to the scene, after receiving a distress call from the boat. They were joined by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office (SLC) and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) in the search operation.
The search area covered about five miles offshore and involved boats, divers, helicopters and planes. The weather conditions were favorable, with clear skies and calm seas. However, the water depth was about 80 feet and the visibility was poor, making it difficult to locate Roberts.
The Tragic Discovery
After about four hours of searching, Roberts’ body was spotted by a USCG helicopter near the Evinrude Rocks. The MCSO dive team recovered his body and brought it to Sandsprit Park, where he was pronounced dead. His family members, who had been waiting anxiously at the park, were notified of his death.
The cause of death is still under investigation, but authorities suspect that Roberts may have suffered from shallow water blackout, a condition that occurs when divers hold their breath for too long and lose consciousness due to lack of oxygen. Roberts was wearing a weight belt and a spear gun, but no buoyancy device or dive flag.
The Grieving Family
Roberts was from Salt Lake City, Utah, where he worked as a plumber. He had been staying in Vero Beach with his uncle for a few weeks, enjoying his passion for diving and fishing. He was described by his family as a loving son, brother and friend who had a bright future ahead of him.
His mother, Jennifer Roberts, said that he was an adventurous spirit who loved nature and animals. She said that he had been diving since he was 12 years old and that he was very experienced and careful. She said that he had always wanted to dive in Florida and that he was having the time of his life.
His father, Mark Roberts, said that he was proud of his son and that he had taught him everything he knew about diving. He said that he had spoken to him the night before his death and that he sounded happy and excited. He said that he wished he could have been there with him.
His sister, Ashley Roberts, said that he was her best friend and her hero. She said that he was always there for her and that he had a big heart. She said that he had a lot of dreams and goals and that he wanted to travel the world.
The Community Support
The news of Roberts’ death shocked and saddened the local diving community, who expressed their condolences and support to his family on social media. Many divers shared their own stories of diving in Florida and warned others of the dangers of shallow water blackout.
The MCSO also offered their sympathy and assistance to Roberts’ family. They thanked all the agencies involved in the search operation for their professionalism and cooperation. They also reminded divers to follow safety precautions and to always dive with a buddy.
Roberts’ family said that they were grateful for all the help and kindness they received from the authorities and the public. They said that they hoped that his death would raise awareness of shallow water blackout and prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future.
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