Body of missing boater found near a Biscayne Bay causeway, authorities say
The body of Reynier Moreno — a boater reported missing earlier this week — was found Friday morning in the bay waters near the Julia Tuttle Causeway, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
“Our deepest condolences extend to the family and friends of Mr. Moreno,” said Ronald Washington, an agency spokesman. “The FWC will conduct a thorough investigation into this boating accident.”
Moreno, 36, was reported missing Tuesday night from the area of Pelican Harbor Marina near the 79th Street Causeway. He had taken a 32-foot speedboat for a test drive and never returned.
The boat was later recovered near the Julia Tuttle Causeway — which connects Miami to Miami Beach and is about four miles south of the 79th Street Causeway — but he was not found.
The Coast Guard, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and other agencies began searching for Moreno in Biscayne Bay.
At about 2:40 a.m., a good Samaritan spotted a body and called 911, the Coast Guard said. Several agencies including Miami Beach Fire Rescue and Miami Fire Rescue responded.
His body was taken to the Medical Examiner’s Office, Miami Fire Rescue said.
A friend of Moreno’s posted about the discovery several hours later.
“Truly heartbroken with this terrible news about our friend Rey,” his friend wrote on Facebook. “We lost a real one. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
This story was originally published November 12, 2021 at 12:50 PM.
