Body Found Floating Off Avon

A body was discovered floating in the Atlantic Ocean in Avon-by-the-Sea near the Shark River bridge by fishermen, authorities reported on Tuesday.

The body, which was spotted drifting in the water by Avon-by-the-Sea police around 5:30 p.m., was transported by U.S. Coast Guard boat to the Shark River Coast Guard Station in Avon around 6 p.m.

The Monmouth County Prosecutors Office arrived on the scene to investigate the death.

There is no word from authorities yet as to the identity of the person, other than it was a male wearing swim trucks.

Belmar and Bradley Beach police were also at the scene.

Last week, a 15-year-old boy from Neptune went missing while swimming off Bradley Beach's Brinley Avenue. Hampered by severe weather, a search for the boy's body was on Friday evening.

Early Tuesday morning, the crew of the 33-foot sailboat Courtney Lynn went missing after abandoning their sinking ship near Middletown. More than 12 hours after receiving the distress call, a search effort was suspended.