DUNEDIN, Fla. — Deputies located the body of a paddleboarder who disappeared Friday off the coast of Dunedin.
Ziad Abdeen, 49, was found north of the Dunedin Marina in the Intracoastal waterway, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said in a statement Sunday afternoon.
An investigation is ongoing to determine his cause of death.
HCA Healthcare confirmed Monday morning that Abdeen was a doctor on staff at HCA Florida Bayonet Hospital.
"On behalf of the entire HCA Florida Bayonet Hospital Team I’d like to offer our condolences and deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Dr. Ziad Abdeen," a statement read. "Please know that we are thinking of them and keeping them foremost in our thoughts not only today but in the critical days, weeks and months to come.
"We will have resources available on site for the next few days so that those who knew him as a colleague and friend have access to the care they need."
Abdeen was reported missing Friday after he did not return from a paddleboarding trip. His family members searched locations across Pinellas County where he was known to launch his paddleboard. They found his vehicle in the parking lot of the Dunedin Boat Club.
Deputies responded to the boat club around midnight Saturday.
According to the Coast Guard, Abdeen was last seen Friday, between 11 a.m. and noon, on his paddleboard wearing dark shorts and a light blue T-shirt near Dunedin Marina.
A coworker reportedly had contact with Abdeen on Saturday and said he was stranded on an island and would try to return at 1:30 p.m. This was the last communication anyone received.
Abdeen's paddleboard was found under a dock at 2685 St. Joseph's Drive in Dunedin, about 3 miles north of the boat club.
"#Breaking @USCG crews are searching for 49-year-old Ziad Abdeen. Last seen on an inflatable paddle board out of Dunedin Marina wearing dark shorts and a light blue t-shirt," the Coast Guard said in a tweet. "If anyone has information please call Sector St. Petersburg command center at 866-881-1392."