On June 18, 2005, a diving excursion off the coast of North Carolina turned into a lasting mystery. Greg Mickey, a 58-year-old man, was enjoying a day of diving with two friends near the Frying Pan Shoals, a treacherous area of shallow, shifting sandbars located about 30 miles southeast of Bald Head Island. An experienced and advanced certified diver, Greg was well-equipped for the adventure, wearing a full 7mm Dacor wetsuit, a clear face mask, and distinctive neon green and black fins.
He was also carrying an AB Biller spear gun. The group was exploring the depths at around 110 feet when their dive plan took an unexpected turn, leading to a separation that would have lasting consequences.
The sequence of events began to unravel as Greg and one of his dive partners attempted their ascent. Unable to locate the anchor line for a guided return to their boat, the 'Details,' they initiated a free ascent. It was during this ascent that a powerful cross-current caught them, sweeping them northwest and away from the safety of their vessel. Rough waters on the surface complicated the situation further. His friends reported last seeing him on the surface, approximately 50 feet from the boat, around noon. In a determined effort to close the distance, Greg reportedly shed his buoyancy compensator and air tank, a decision likely made to reduce drag and make the swim to the boat more manageable. While one of his partners was thankfully rescued by the Coast Guard nine hours later, found four miles from the dive site, and the third diver made it back to the boat, Greg was not seen again.
In the wake of his disappearance, the United States Coast Guard launched an extensive search and rescue operation. Over the course of their efforts, they conducted 40 separate missions, utilizing both aircraft and boats to scour more than 1,000 square miles of the Atlantic Ocean. Private searches were also organized by those who knew and cared for Greg, all holding out hope for his safe return. Four days after he went missing, divers involved in the search made a somber discovery on the ocean floor: Greg's weight belt was found, its buckle open. Despite this finding and the exhaustive searches, Greg Mickey's body was never recovered. The fact that an advanced diver, so close to his boat and equipped with a full wetsuit, mask, fins, and snorkel could vanish remains a perplexing and heartbreaking mystery for his family and friends.Last Seen: Jun 18, 2005
