Officials recovered the body of a tourist Saturday morning near the Courtney Campbell Causeway.

  • Boater's body was discovered Saturday morning
  • Police say the boat hit a sandbar; man jumped off boat
  • His fiancée was reportedly with him

A dive team discovered his body not far from where he was last seen.

The man, who still has not been named, was spending Friday boating with his fiancée when they became stuck on a sandbar. He reportedly jumped off the rental boat and attempted to push it off, but his fiancée said the water overtook him.

He resurfaced twice, according to reports, and his fiancée threw him a life vest, but it was too late.

Crews searched for hours Friday night. A dive team member spotted the body just before 10 a.m. Saturday near the area where the man went missing.

The boater was originally from Ecuador. Authorities said he resided in Chicago, but he was considering moving to the Bay area.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Tampa Police Department, U.S. Coast Guard, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, and Tampa Fire Rescue assisted in the search and recovery.

Investigators are now working to properly identify the body and notify next of kin.

This is a developing story. Check back soon for updates.