Posted by msblucow on December 16, 1999 at 13:44:12:
In Reply to: Missing diver posted by gunzmoke on December 14, 1999 at 09:18:44:
The body of a missing diver from Irvine was recovered Wednesday afternoon more than 100 feet below the surface in waters off Anacapa Island, authorities said. The family of 45-year-old Joo Hwan Hong had chartered a boat in Ventura on Wednesday morning, and one of nine divers who
volunteered to search found the victim about 1:30 p.m., authorities said.
Hong's wife and children and several other family members were aboard the dive vessel Spectre when Hong was found. Hong was reported missing about 10:30 a.m. Sunday when he failed to resurface while diving in the area with a Los Angeles diving club. More than a dozen sheriff's deputies who dive and the Coast Guard searched for Hong on Sunday and
Monday but ceased looking Tuesday because of rough seas.
James Baroni, a senior deputy coroner, said an autopsy was scheduled today to determine how Hong died. The victim's diving equipment also will be tested. Baroni said Hong was an experienced diver but had only returned to the sport a few years ago after a lengthy hiatus. Hong was found face down in his wetsuit and had with him a couple of fish he had caughtand killed.
The case was being handled as an accident, authorities said.