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A search for a missing scuba diver off Florida's Gulf Coast ended in tragedy on Sunday morning after first responders recovered the body of a woman who vanished during a solo dive two days earlier.
Authorities identified the diver as 41-year-old LeeAnn Fay Sellers, whose body was found floating in the waters off Treasure Island Beach after an extensive search involving multiple emergency agencies failed to locate her.
According to city officials, Sellers set out alone for a scuba dive off Treasure Island Beach on Friday, July 3, but never returned.
Her husband reported her missing that evening, prompting Treasure Island Fire Rescue and other local agencies to launch a large-scale search of both the shoreline and surrounding waters.
Despite hours of searching, crews were unable to find any trace of the missing diver.
The search took a devastating turn early on Sunday morning.
At approximately 6:45 a.m., a fisherman on Treasure Island Beach contacted authorities after spotting what appeared to be a body floating roughly 200 feet offshore.
LeeAnn Fay Sellers, 41, was discovered floating about 200 feet offshore at Treasure Island, Florida on Sunday morning by a fisherman, still wearing her scuba diving gear (file photo)
Treasure Island police officers and fire rescue personnel responded to the scene and recovered the body from the water
Treasure Island police officers and fire rescue personnel responded to the scene and recovered the body from the water.
Officials later confirmed it was Sellers.
Authorities said she was still wearing her scuba diving equipment when she was brought ashore.
The recovery brought a tragic conclusion to the search that had begun after Sellers failed to return from her solo outing two days earlier.
Officials have not released any additional details about the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.
The investigation remains ongoing.
The Pinellas County Medical Examiner will determine Sellers' official cause and manner of death.
Authorities have not announced whether foul play is suspected.
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