Missing diver's body washes ashore on Cook Key
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
BIG PINE KEY, Fla. -- The body of a missing diver who disappeared during the lobster mini-season last week, washed ashore Monday, authorities said.
Ronald Maloy, of Palatka, was still wearing his diving gear and a tank with in it, when his body drifted ashore on Cook Key, said Becky Herrin, a spokeswoman for the Monroe County Sheriff's Office. Maloy, 53, disappeared on the final day of the two-day lobster mini-season. Investigators said they don't know how Maloy or his companion, 47-year-old Judith Silcox, died. Silcox's body was found drifting in the water Thursday by boaters.
The couple's boat was also found Thursday - a 22-foot Proline that was anchored with a dive flag posted near Big Pine Key, authorities said. The couple, who were both certified divers, were staying at a campground on Ohio Key, where authorities found a motor home, pickup truck and a boat trailer registered in their name.
BIG PINE KEY, Fla. -- The body of a missing diver who disappeared during the lobster mini-season last week, washed ashore Monday, authorities said.
Ronald Maloy, of Palatka, was still wearing his diving gear and a tank with in it, when his body drifted ashore on Cook Key, said Becky Herrin, a spokeswoman for the Monroe County Sheriff's Office. Maloy, 53, disappeared on the final day of the two-day lobster mini-season. Investigators said they don't know how Maloy or his companion, 47-year-old Judith Silcox, died. Silcox's body was found drifting in the water Thursday by boaters.
The couple's boat was also found Thursday - a 22-foot Proline that was anchored with a dive flag posted near Big Pine Key, authorities said. The couple, who were both certified divers, were staying at a campground on Ohio Key, where authorities found a motor home, pickup truck and a boat trailer registered in their name.
6 Comments:
Ronnie Maloy was born and raised in Jacksonville Florida. He later moved to Palatka to be on the water. He was always happy whenever he was on the water or in it.Ronnie was the most wonderful man I have ever known. He will be greatly missed by anyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. Ronnie was the type of man who would and did give you anything he had. He left behind one son, Ronnie Jr., 2 awesome grandsons,"Zachary & Matthew" & his best friend and brother Larry Maloy Sr..He also leaves to mourn 5 sisters,and numerous nephews,nieces,cousins,and other family and friends.
The world has lost the best,but he is now with his Mom, Dad & older brother Charles. We will all see him in the future. Rest in Peace Ronnie.
Debbie
Debbie, Thanks for the comment. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Ronnie was not just my Brother-In-Law he was my brother, my hero, my advisor and dear friend. The impact he instilled into my younger life followed me into what I am today. He tought me to never give up on your dreams, to work hard and be fair to all. The numerous conversations we shared will be forever part of me. His laughter will be heard in my mind and heart forever. I loved him and he loved me. Thank you God for placing such special part of your creation into my life. Ronnie loved and trusted the Lord. I will see you again in the Glory Land where you and I can fish and laugh again.
It has been almost 2 months now since I lost my former husband in Marathon Keys in a diving accident.Why is it that no one can give my son and me an answer as to the cause of his death? Has his untimely death meant nothing to anyone down there? There is nothing that can be done to bring that wonderful man back but we need the to find closure so Ronnie can rest in peace.There is ALWAYS a cause of death,so please do not sweep this under the rug and act like it is not important. If Ronnie were a member of the sheriffs office or a personal friend of the coroners office,police dept. or someone of higher importance in the community I think there would have been an answer by now.He was not just another tourist. His family needs to know what happened.
Diving deaths ruled accident
BY TRACI RORK
Citizen Staff
11/8/06
The unusual deaths of two certified divers during July's lobster mini-season have been ruled an accident, according to the Monroe County medical examiner.
Dr. Michael Hunter last week finalized his autopsy reports on Ronald Maloy, 53, and Judith Silcox, 47, both of Palatka.
After three months of extensive testing, Hunter determined that Maloy most likely died from saltwater drowning and Silcox died from a lung-expansion injury. His ruling puts an end to early speculation that the dive equipment the couple rented from Paradise Divers on Summerland Key, which was confiscated and tested, may have been faulty.
A boater found Silcox's body, still clad in scuba gear, floating south of Big Pine Key near Spanish Harbor Channel on July 27. An unoccupied boat was anchored nearby with a dive flag posted. Authorities determined the boat was register ed to Maloy, who then was reported missing.
Tow Boat U.S. employees performed CPR on Silcox until they reached shore, where paramedics continued the lifesaving effort.
Maloy's body — still in his dive gear, including a tank containing air — washed ashore on Cook Key four days later. He was found by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers, who had launched a search with the Coast Guard, Air Station Miami and Monroe County Sheriff's Office.
The family of Ronnie Maloy does not believe this hogwash. In the beginnig we were told that Judy drowned. If Ronnie had drowned,we feel that would have been found out much sooner.It does not take over 3 months to tell that someone drowned.What does"MOST LIKELY" mean? It means you really don't know so lets not "put an end to the speculation that the dive gear was not faulty"
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