Family Devastated By Discovery of Man's Body

ORANGE PARK, FL -- The search for a missing boater has come to a sad end. The body of 29-year-old Shane Wiggins was found floating about 4 miles from the spot he was last seen.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said Wiggins was positively identified on Tuesday afternoon shortly after being pulled from the river near Fleming Island off Bald Eagle Road.

His family tells First Coast News they are devastated and have no comment on the tragic situation.

Wiggins had a MySpace page where he said he loved to fish and go boating. Police said Wiggins disappeared in the St. Johns River while on a boat near Julington Creek.

A nearby boater tried to help, but told First Coast News on Monday that Wiggins could not stay afloat.

"I was screaming at him, 'Keep your head up, breathe, breathe,'" said Tim Mylod.

Two days of searching came up empty for investigators.

Tuesday afternoon, an Orange Park homeowner made what he calls a "shocking and gruesome discovery."

The homeowner did not want to talk on camera, but tells First Coast News he was about to mow the lawn when he saw the body floating near his dock in the backyard.

The homeowner hopes the family can now have some peace.

The U.S. Coast Guard says the river in that area of Jacksonville was extremely choppy and dangerous Sunday afternoon. Coast Guard officials urge anyone boating or fishing to wear a life vest.

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