The search for missing diver David Byles was called off Wednesday as police accepted his body would not be found.
The 57-year-old from North Carolina had been missing since Sunday. He disappeared in unexplained circumstances following an organized dive on Barracuda Reef off Seven Mile Beach on Sunday morning. Police say he surfaced with his wife and was swimming toward the boat, roughly 100 yards away, when he disappeared from view.
A four-day search, involving volunteer divers and marine police, led to the discovery of his tank and dive vest and an item of clothing, but no sign of the missing tourist.
Inspector Ian Yearwood, who led a search effort that also involved port security, the Department of Environment and the police air operations unit, said the decision to stand down the search had been discussed with Mr. Byles’s wife.
He said, “It’s always a difficult decision to call off any search, but having reviewed the search patterns followed to date, it’s clear that we have done as much as we can do at the moment in our attempts to recover David’s body and bring some closure to his family. Our thoughts are with his wife and family at this time.”
Mr. Byles was described by friends in his home of Pinehurst, North Carolina, as a popular member of the community, active church member and a drummer in several jazz bands.
Inspector Yearwood paid tribute to the volunteers who had aided the search.
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