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MyFWC.com Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commision

Newsroom : December :

News Release

Body of missing boater found

December 12, 2007
Contact: Joy Hill, 352-732-1225

The search for the boater who fell off his sailboat in the St. Johns River near Jacksonville last Friday ended today when a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officer found the body floating on the river.

FWC Officer Jeff Hickman discovered the body of Cesar Martin Montano, 27, about 10:30 a.m., about two miles from the original search site.

An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death.

Montano fell overboard while attempting to refuel his 27-foot sailboat with a gas can while the boat was under way on Dec. 7. Montano and his wife, Jennifer, were on a 12-day trip that began in Miami. They were headed for Welaka from Jacksonville when the incident happened.

Officers from the FWC, Clay County Sheriff’s Office, St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Coast Guard have all participated in the search six-day search on water and from aircraft.

The FWC is the lead investigating agency.

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