Body found on South Florida beach amid search for missing Oklahoma man
MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. —
Authorities say a body was found on a beach in South Florida amid a search for a missing Oklahoma man.
On Saturday, the Martin County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office asked for the public’s help in finding a missing man who was visiting the area from Oklahoma. The man was identified as Michael Anthony Debevec II, who was reported missing on Aug. 26.
The sheriff’s office said Debevec had gone to Chastain Beach, which is known by locals as “The Rocks.” His vehicle, wallet, and backpack were found on the beach, but the scene was not suspicious.
On Tuesday, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office announced that a body had been found on the beach. They, however, did not confirm whether the body was Debevec.
>> Video Below: Body found on South Florida beach during search for missing Oklahoma man
Search for Michael Anthony Debevec II
During the Martin County Sheriff’s Office’s investigation, they had learned that Debevec had come from the Port St. Lucie area at around 3 a.m. on Friday and had parked at Chastain Beach.
Debevec was not seen again after that. His cellphone, however, pinged in the area near the beach from around 5 a.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Saturday and showed that Debevec had been moving from the beach to the House of Refuge.
The sheriff’s office said that Debevec’s phone pinged again around Celebration, Florida, near Interstate 4, which is several hours away from Martin County. Authorities said they learned that this wasn’t the first time Debevec had gone missing and that he had a history of substance abuse.
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The Martin County Sheriff’s Office utilized several tools throughout the weekend and into Tuesday to find Debevec, looking in the water and combing the beach and nearby areas.
Debevec’s backpack containing his laptop was found hanging high in a wooded area near the House of Refuge on Tuesday. A body was found not far from that scene.
The Martin County Sheriff’s Office would not confirm that the body was Debevec, but officials had notified his family. They did say the body was wearing clothes that Debevec was last seen wearing.
The cause of death is unknown.
Oklahoma connection
According to the sheriff’s office, Debevec briefly lived in Oklahoma before moving back to the Port St. Lucie area. It’s unknown where in Oklahoma he lived.
Debevec had tried to call a woman in Oklahoma shortly before he was reported missing. His father, who lives in the Orlando area, reportedly said Debevec was still living in Oklahoma and was just visiting Port St. Lucie.