Search Called Off For Missing Diver Timothy Obi

Help came from so many different areas: the U.S. Coast Guard, Jacksonville Fire Rescue, the Sheriff’s Office, federal agents, and dozens upon dozens of volunteers -- every one of them with the hope to find missing diver Timothy Obialive and safe.

WJCT News partner News4Jax reported that late Tuesday afternoon, those hopes ended when the Coast Guard announced the search was offafter Obi’s damaged diver gear was found by volunteer searchers.

The condition and location indicated Obi might have had an encounter with a marine predator, authorities said. The man who found the gear,who is a marine biologist and Obi’s friend, said he believes, based on the evidence he saw, that Obi had a medical emergency before any encounter with a predator.

While neither belief in the disappearance of Obi has been confirmed, it is undoubtedly clear that the 36-year-old is extraordinarily loved by his family, friends and community. Now that the search for Obi is over, attention has swiftly turned to his wife and the three young sons he left behind.

An account to raise funds for the Obi family has been started online. For more on that part of the story and a video report see the expanded version of this story at News4Jax.com.