BILOXI, MS — Authorities have confirmed that a body discovered Tuesday morning between Biloxi Beach and Deer Island is that of 75-year-old shrimper Richard Kopszywa, who was reported missing over the weekend.
Harrison County Coroner Brian Switzer identified the body hours after it was found around 10 a.m. by paddleboarders in the area. Initially, the Biloxi Police Department stated they did not believe the remains were connected to Kopszywa, but further investigation confirmed his identity.
Kopszywa was reported missing Sunday morning by his wife, who grew concerned when she did not hear from him during his shrimping trip. His boat, the Linda K, was found adrift roughly five miles off the Biloxi coast later that day. Tragically, the vessel sank while being towed to shore near the western tip of Deer Island.
A massive search effort was launched by the U.S. Coast Guard, along with crews from the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources and the Gulf Islands National Seashore. Over 37 hours, search teams scoured 1,032 square nautical miles using boats, a helicopter, and an airplane.
#Update The Coast Guard has suspended its search for the missing shrimper. Coast Guard air and boat crews searched for 37 hours, covering 1,032 sq nautical miles.
— USCG Heartland (@USCGHeartland) November 26, 2024
Authorities have not yet released details about how Kopszywa ended up in the water, but investigations are ongoing. Tuesday’s discovery brings a somber end to the search, providing closure for Kopszywa’s loved ones and the Biloxi community.
(This story was updated 11/26/2024 at 3:11 PM.)
