Body Found Near Site of Yacht Race Crash

Theo Mavomatis of Redondo Beach, has been missing since April 28

The U.S. Coast Guard has recovered a body found by a private vessel less than half a mile from the site where pieces of a 37-foot racing yacht were discovered last month.

The Aegean went missing near the Coronado Islands April 28 while sailing from Newport, Calif., to Ensenada, Mexico during the Lexus Newport to Ensenada Yacht Race.

The bodies of sailors Kevin Rudolph, 53, of Manhattan Beach, Calif., William Reed Johnson Jr., 57, of Torrance, Calif., and Joseph Lester Stewart, 64, of Bradenton, Fla. have been found.

Fourth crew member, Theo Mavromatis of Redondo Beach, has been missing. 

Niki Burgan with SoCal H2O Rescue Team hopes the discovery this weekend will end the wait for the Mavomatis family.

"The time frame is exactly right for these remains to have come to the surface," Burgan said.

"I believe it is and I hope that it is for the family."

Burgan and her dog Rummy searched Mexican waters for Mavromatis after the U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search May 1.

She said the body was discovered near the area where she searched.

Also, there has been no one else reported missing in the area according to Burgan.

The Coast Guard has not identified the body. Crews handed the remains over to the San Diego County medical examiner for positive identification.

The Coast Guard has not yet officially determined what happened to The Aegean in the deadly boating accident.

Follow NBCSanDiego for the latest news, weather, and events: iPad App | iPhone App | Android App | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Instagram | RSS | Text Alerts | Email Alerts

Contact Us