The body of a missing boater was recovered Thursday morning in Lake Thonotosassa. 

  • Body found of missing boater in Lake Thonotosassa
  • Boater ID'd as 44-year-old Juan Luis Linares of Plantation
  • Investigation ongoing 

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, the boater has been identified as 44-year-old Juan Luis Linares of Plantation. 

A witness called 911 Wednesday afternoon after seeing an empty boat on the lake and a person nearby in the water struggling to stay afloat. 

Dive crews were in the water Wednesday but did not find anything. The search continued Thursday morning.

Officials said Linares had recently purchased the boat and was believed to be visiting friends in the Bay area. 

"We do know the he was the only one on the boat and that he had recently purchased the boat," said Brian Norris with the FWC. "But the circumstances leading up to the accident, and what happened and how he ended up in the water we do not know."

An investigation into the death is being conducted.