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Search continues for swimmer missing off Cape Canaveral

50-year-old man missing since Wednesday afternoon

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Crews continue to search for a 50-year-old man who vanished Wednesday while swimming off Cape Canaveral, according to officials.

Brevard County sheriff’s spokesman Tod Goodyear said the Michigan man went missing near Cherie Down Park.

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Goodyear said the sheriff’s office marine unit and dive team, the Cocoa Beach marine unit and the U.S. Coast Guard assisted in Wednesday’s search.

Beachgoer Barbara Robb said when she saw the response, her instincts as a nurse urged her to console the swimmer’s family. Robb said the man’s wife told her the Michigan family was on their last day of vacation.

“She just sobbed and I held her and we prayed and I tried to assure her that he’s in God’s hand and they’ll find him,” Robb said.

Robb asked for prayers for the family.

Rip currents have been rough over the past week due to weather conditions.

Late Thursday afternoon, the conditions attracted kite surfers to Cherie Down Park.

Surfing teacher Nicole Serfilippi worried for those who may not expect the ocean to be as rough as it is on some days.

Due to the weather, this week she said she’s canceled all of her classes.

“People don’t understand, when they come, they see it’s a bright, sunny day. It’s the beach, but really, really need to be mindful of the warnings,” Serfilippi said.

Family members have created a GoFundMe to assist them until Jones is found.


About the Authors
Brenda Argueta headshot

Brenda Argueta is a digital journalist who joined ClickOrlando.com in March 2021. She is the author of the Central Florida Happenings newsletter that goes out every Thursday.

James Sparvero headshot

James joined News 6 in March 2016 as the Brevard County Reporter. His arrival was the realization of a three-year effort to return to the state where his career began. James is from Pittsburgh, PA and graduated from Penn State in 2009 with a degree in Broadcast Journalism.

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