DUNEDIN, Fla. — A paddleboarder who was reported missing on Friday was found dead north of the Dunedin Marina in the Intracoastal Waterway by Pinellas County Sheriff's Office deputies two days later.
49-year-old Ziad Abdeen was reported missing to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office after family members became concerned he had not returned from a paddleboarding trip.
Abdeen's family began searching various locations in Pinellas County, where he is known to have launched his paddleboard. They found his vehicle in the parking lot of the Dunedin Boat Club, located at 49 Marina Plaza.
Deputies responded to the boat club at approximately midnight on Saturday and began a search.
Throughout the investigation, deputies learned that Abdeen's vehicle entered the parking lot at approximately 12:45 p.m. on Friday. Abdeen's paddleboard was found under a dock at 2685 St. Joseph's Drive in Dunedin.
The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Marine Unit, Dive Team, and Flight Unit searched for Abdeen with the assistance of the U.S. Coast Guard and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
USCG suspended its search for Abdeen on Saturday, but Pinellas officials resumed their own search efforts the following day.
The Medical Examiner's Office will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death.
The investigation continues.
