The unidentified man’s body was found Thursday afternoon, several miles north of where the Haitian immigrants say they were forced off a boat 25 to 50 yards offshore early Wednesday.
The man was found with a shirt but no pants, causing authorities to speculate that he kicked them off during a struggle in the water. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death.
“It looked like he had been dead for some period of time. At least 24 hours,” said Jupiter Island Police Chief William Mason.
The body of Roselyne Lubin, 26, was found off the Jupiter Inlet on Wednesday, according to Palm Beach County sheriff’s officials. It was not clear if she was a native of Haiti or the Bahamas.
Her death was being investigated as a homicide after witnesses said she was pushed from the smugglers’ boat.
Eight people were taken in to custody, but it was not known exactly how many people were on the boat because of conflicting accounts from the migrants, said Palm Beach County sheriff’s Lt. Michael Wallace. The boat’s captain and his accomplice have not been located.
At least one person was being investigated on possible smuggling and drug charges after more than 12 pounds of cocaine was found in bag carried by a man discovered hiding in the woods, said Jupiter Police Chief William Mason.
Haitians who come ashore illegally are usually returned home. Cubans who reach U.S. soil illegally, however, are generally allowed to stay. Illegal migrants of all nationalities are typically sent back to their homelands when caught at sea.
Source: The Associated Press
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