CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (Gray News) – The Coast Guard suspended the search Sunday evening for a missing SpaceX employee after his body was found near South Padre Island.

In a statement, the Coast Guard said the air and sea had been searched for a total of 18 hours since the man was reported missing and more than 205 square miles had been covered.

Observers in the Corpus Christi area said they received notification around 7:45 a.m. Sunday from Cameron County Sheriff’s Department dispatchers. They had reported that a man last seen swimming in the waters near Boca Chica Beach was missing.

An urgent maritime information broadcast was broadcast and the launch of a Coast Guard Station South Padre Island response boat with a small crew and a Dolphin MH-65 helicopter was ordered to assist in the search for the ‘man.

According to KVEO, deputies with the Cameron County Sheriff’s Department spoke with a SpaceX employee who told them the missing man was one of his co-workers.

Deputies said another SpaceX employee was seen entering the water to try to reach the swimmer, who was more than 50 yards away. This second employee was unable to reach the swimmer due to high tides and strong currents.

The rescuer managed to return to shore safely.

The SpaceX employee who was swimming submerged in the water and was not seen again until his body washed up on shore at 6:33 p.m. Monday, according to the sheriff’s department.

The name of the victim has not yet been released.

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