CHARLOTTE AMALIE — A St. Thomas man who had been reported missing less than 24 hours ago was found dead in the waters at John Brewer’s beach this morning, authorities said.
Police said family members reported 62-year-old Roy A. Frett missing at 5:17 p.m. Sunday, the Virgin Islands Police Department said.
Frett was last seen taking a swim at John Brewer’s beach at 3:15 p.m. Sunday, according to the VIPD.
Officers from the VIPD, Department of Planning and Natural Resources, the U.S. Coast Guard, St. Thomas Rescue, University of the Virgin Islands security detail and the Virgin Islands Fire Service conducted an exhaustive search for Frett in the John Brewer’s beach area with negative results on Sunday.
The search was suspended at nightfall Sunday and resumed about 6 a.m. today, police said.
“At approximately 7:15 a.m. January 11, St. Thomas Rescue personnel located an unresponsive Black male floating in the water at the eastern end of John Brewer’s beach,” VIPD spokesman Toby Derima said.
The male was removed from the water and Emergency Medical Technicians on the scene confirmed that he did not have any signs of life, Derima said.
The male was identified by next of kin as Frettm he said.
“The cause of death is unknown at this time, pending an autopsy,” the police spokesman said. “The investigation into this incident continues.”