John Claypool, a 35-year-old police detective from West Palm Beach, Florida, disappeared on January 12, 1998, while on a deep-sea diving expedition. Claypool was participating in a 245-foot dive on a sunken barge located two miles off the coast of Palm Beach when he encountered difficulties. During the ascent, Claypool reportedly lost control of his buoyancy and began to struggle. Despite attempts by two of his diving companions to assist him, he never resurfaced.
The incident also involved another diver, New York City investment banker Michael Elkins, who was diving with Claypool that day and also went missing. One of their companions managed to alert the dive boat, but neither Claypool nor Elkins were ever found. Given the dangerous nature of deep-sea diving and the events described, it is presumed that Claypool drowned.
At the time of his disappearance, Claypool was wearing a black diving suit and using a compression tank. Despite efforts to locate his body, no remains have ever been recovered. The case remains classified as a lost or injured missing person.
Last Seen: Jan 12, 1998
