Man Drowns After Drinking With Friends On Boca Ciega Bay

BOCA CIEGA, FL — Pinellas County Sheriff's marine deputies are investigating the death of a man found floating in Boca Ciega Bay Thursday.

Matthew Richard Eelman, 64, who lists Gainesville as his permanent address, was last seen leaving a friend's boat around 1 a.m. Thursday. He was found near Intercoastal Waterway Marker #29 in Boca Ciega Bay.

Eelman, who had been drinking, was described as impaired when he got onto his small boat to return to his live-aboard sailboat located nearby.

On Thursday around 12:15 p.m., a resident spotted a small capsized boat and reported it to the Gulfport Police Department. That boat was later determined to belong to Eelman.

Eelman's body was found about an hour later, at 1:08 p.m., and Pinellas deputies were notified. Deputies say the death appears accidental.