Commack Man Found Dead In Long Island Sound

A Commack man was found dead in the Long Island Sound on Monday afternoon, Suffolk Police said.

Gregory Blanco was reported missing at about 8:30 a.m. Monday after Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound watchstanders received a call from a good Samaritan reporting an unmanned red, 14-foot, one person kayak north of Stratford Shoal Middle Ground.

Boat crews arrived on scene and located the kayak with personal items onboard.

Suffolk Police located Blanco's vehicle at the Soundview Boat Ramp Marina in Northport.

Police said someone on board the Park City, a Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Company ferry, spotted Blanco's body floating in the water, about 3 miles north of Belle Terre, around 2 p.m.

The Stratford Fire Department in Connecticut responded and recovered the body, which was transported to the Town of Brookhaven Port Jefferson Marina, police said.

Blanco, who had launched the kayak from Northport, was pronounced dead by a physician assistant from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner, which will perform an autopsy to determine the cause of death, police said.

“Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Mr. Blanco during this painful time,” said Cmdr. Kevin Reed, Deputy Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound.

U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Sector Long Island Sound