On September 14, 2006, 28-year-old Heath Jens Laetari disappeared while diving off the coast of the Florida Keys in Monroe County, Florida. An experienced marine biologist and diver, Laetari was working for Dynasty Marine Associates at the time. On the day of his disappearance, he reportedly decided to perform a "free dive," a form of diving that does not involve scuba gear or any other breathing apparatus, relying solely on the diver's ability to hold their breath.
He was last seen in the water but failed to resurface.
Laetari's passion for the water began at a young age. Born and raised in Kansas, he started swimming lessons at the age of three and began diving with his parents at thirteen. His career path was set after his first open-water dive in the Cayman Islands, which solidified his ambition to become a marine biologist. He pursued this dream by earning a degree in marine biology from Nova Southeastern University. His expertise led him to a position as the acquisition manager and vice president of dive operations for Dynasty Marine Associates, a global supplier of Caribbean marine life. Just a few months before his disappearance, in May 2006, Laetari had married his wife, Summer.
Following his failure to resurface, the U.S. Coast Guard launched a three-day search for Laetari, but no trace of him was ever found. It is presumed that he was lost at sea. According to his mother, on the day he went missing, Laetari had been having trouble with his contact lenses and had stayed on the boat while a coworker took over his usual role as a safety diver. A safety diver did witness Laetari's free dive and saw him heading towards the surface. However, when the safety diver returned to the boat, Laetari was nowhere to be found. A memorial service was held for him in Wichita, Kansas. The Monroe County Sheriff's Office was the investigating agency for his case.Last Seen: Sep 14, 2006
