January 20, 2026 – The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search for a missing kayaker last seen near Honeymoon Island State Park at 6:45 p.m. Monday. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office is now leading a missing person investigation and has not provided any updates as of 3:45 p.m Tuesday. Elias Guillermo Lara Vargas, 18, went missing at approximately 6 p.m. Sunday. Dunedin Fire Department rescue crew pulled one kayaker from the water but could not locate Vargas.
