James Bakazan, a 53-year-old diver from Woodstock, Illinois, went missing on January 3, 2015, while diving off the coast of Key West, Florida. Bakazan was part of a scuba diving expedition to explore the wreck of the USS Vandenberg, a popular dive site located about seven miles off the coast. The wreck, an artificial reef, is known for its rich marine life and challenging underwater conditions.
On the day of his disappearance, Bakazan surfaced briefly after diving but quickly submerged again without any distress signals. He was last seen by other divers near the wreck, but after that, he disappeared. Extensive search efforts were immediately launched, involving the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Coast Guard, and technical divers. Despite searching both inside the wreck and the surrounding area, Bakazan was never found.
The search, which was hampered by strong currents and low visibility, continued for several days before being called off on January 6, 2015. It was presumed that Bakazan may have encountered either medical or equipment issues while underwater, leading to his disappearance. His body has never been recovered, and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance remain unresolved.
Last Seen: Jan 03, 2015
