Florida Keys

Three bodies found off the Florida Keys. Cops believe they’re all migrants from Cuba

Monroe County Sheriff’s Office detectives are investigating the death of a man found on Boot Key Friday morning, Sept. 28, and a machete attack on a woman living on a boat in Boot Key Harbor the night before.
Monroe County Sheriff’s Office detectives are investigating the death of a man found on Boot Key Friday morning, Sept. 28, and a machete attack on a woman living on a boat in Boot Key Harbor the night before.

The bodies of three women were found in mangroves near Naval Air Station Key West Saturday afternoon, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office announced Sunday.

This is, MCSO said, “the third time since Thursday the Sheriff’s Office has removed bodies in the area of Boca Chica Key and channel. A total of four females and one male have been recovered.

Detectives believe all are Cuban migrants.”

Though an autopsy remains to be completed, officials don’t believe foul play is involved in any of the deaths.

MCSO and the U.S. Coast Guard have been searching for people since Wednesday, when four survivors of a capsized boat carrying Cuban migrants got to Stock Island and told authorities there were 23 people missing. The boat tried to get to the Florida Keys as the outer edges of Hurricane Ian were finishing with Key West.

The Coast Guard found three people alive Wednesday night and the U.S. Border Patrol found another person on Thursday.

READ MORE: Search continues for Cuban migrants

David J. Neal
Miami Herald
Since 1989, David J. Neal’s domain at the Miami Herald has expanded to include writing about Panthers (NHL and FIU), Dolphins, old school animation, food safety, fraud, naughty lawyers, bad doctors and all manner of breaking news. He drinks coladas whole. He does not work Indianapolis 500 Race Day.
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