The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission located and recovered the body of a missing kayaker Sunday morning.

  • Body of missing kayaker found in waters near Bull Frog Creek
  • Mark Fancher went missing Saturday afternoon
  • Officials investigating incident as fatal boating accident

The body of Mark Fancher was located around 9:15 a.m. in the waters near shore between Bull Frog Creek and Kracker Avenue, in Gibsonton.

Fancher, 44, was reported missing Saturday afternoon after a good Samaritan called in about an unoccupied kayak floating in Tampa Bay, near Apollo Beach.

FWC, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, and the U.S. Coast Guard were actively searching for Fancher throughout the day Saturday and overnight. 

Fancher was a resident of Lithia. 

His family released a statement Sunday afternoon.

"As we mourn the loss of Mark, we are thankful for the time we had with him. He was a good husband, a good father, a good son, a good brother, and a good friend. He will be greatly missed, but we take comfort in knowing we will see him again."

Officials are investigating the incident as a fatal boating accident.