VENICE, Fla. — The search for four missing boaters out of Venice was suspended at 8 p.m. on Monday night. The United States Coast Guard revealed they suspended the search "pending new information." The men's relatives have been notified.
Multiple law enforcement agencies had been searching for four men who had not returned since leaving for a boating trip in Venice Saturday morning.
According to a family member, the group left at approximately 8 a.m. Saturday and did not return later that night as planned.
Shortly after 8 a.m. Sunday, Sarasota County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) dispatch contacted the Venice Police Department (VPD) to check the Marina Park Boat Ramp (near the Historic Venice Train Depot) for a vehicle and boat trailer left behind by the group. The vehicle and trailer were located at the park.
The missing boaters have been identified as Angel Hernandez Munoz, 38, of North Port; Ruben Mora Sr., 54, of Port Charlotte; Julio Cesar Cordero Briones, 37, of North Port; and Vargas Parra, 35, of North Port.
The group’s vessel is a 1995 23-foot white SportCraft, registration #FL9937HC.
VPD Marine Patrol was working with the U.S. Coast Guard, SCSO, Sarasota Police Department, Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, and FWC to help search for the boaters.
Anyone with information about this case can contact VPD Detective Courtney Zak at 941-486-2444 or czak@venicefl.gov.
