Body Found in Bunces Pass Confirmed as Missing Man

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL – A boater today in Bunces Pass found a body confirmed to be Jie Luo, a 21-year-old who went missing March 14, along with another man, in Pass-A-Grille Channel waters following a chartered four-hour boat trip off Shell Key, according to authorities.

Luo, from China, and Andrew Charles Dillman, 27, from New York, were among 15 students from Colorado State University on the boating excursion that detoured from open Gulf of Mexico waters due to hazardous conditions and, instead, anchored in the channel area, charter Capt. Todd Davis said.

Five students opted to swim off the side of the boat while it was anchored, however rough waters and currents pulled Luo and Dillman out to sea, officials said.

Dillman's body was recovered Monday afternoon off Egmont Key, according to authorities.

Luo's body was found about 6:25 p.m. this evening floating in Bunces Pass, just south of Shell Key Preserve, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said. Marine Unit deputies recovered the body, and it was positively identified as Luo. His next of kin were notified, deputies said.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• Hope Remains For 2 Men Missing Near Pass-A-Grille: Sheriff
• Body Found Off Egmont Key ID'd As I of 2 Missing Near Pass-A-Grille

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