Pinellas Park Canoeist Found Dead In Tampa Bay

TAMPA, FL – A Pinellas Park man who was reported missing after going canoeing in Tampa Bay has been found dead.

Joshua Ford. 35, of Pinellas Park, was reported missing after heading out in his canoe from Ben. T. Davis Beach to go fishing off the Courtney Campbell Causeway just south of Rocky Point on Saturday, Jan. 13.

When he hadn't returned home by 5 p.m., family members contacted the police.

Following a search, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission located Ford's orange canoe and then found Ford’s body nearby shortly before 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14.

FWC investigators are working with the Medical Examiner's Office to determine the cause of death.

Photo by Photo by Kevin Jones, Florida State Parks