Man, 71, found dead on ocean floor after diving to see Florida shipwreck: deputies

ISLAMORADA, Fla. (WKRC) – A man was found dead on the ocean floor after diving to see a shipwreck off the coast of Florida.

According to a statement issued by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, a 71-year-old Lonnie Lee Higgins of Columbia, Missouri was found dead on March 13 after he dove to the shipwreck “Eagle” off the coast of Islamorada, Florida.

(Photo by Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images,)

Authorities said Higgins was discovered on the ocean floor at a depth of around 110 feet by commercial dive employees. He was taken back to a commercial vessel, where CPR was performed, then continued after personnel with the U.S. Coast Guard arrived on the scene.

Higgins was pronounced dead at Mariners Hospital in Tavernier. Authorities said foul play does not appear to be a factor, and autopsy results are pending.