A search for a missing solo scuba diver off Florida’s Gulf Coast ended in tragedy on Sunday morning when authorities recovered the body of 41-year-old LeeAnn Fay Sellers approximately 200 feet (60 metres) offshore from Treasure Island Beach, near St. Petersburg.
According to the Treasure Island Police Department (TIPD), Sellers went into the water alone to scuba dive off the beach on the afternoon of Friday, July 3. When she failed to return, her husband contacted police that evening to report her missing, triggering an extensive search operation.
TIPD, working alongside Treasure Island Fire Rescue and several regional partner agencies, searched both land and water throughout Friday evening and into Saturday using marine and aerial resources. Despite the scale of the operation, searchers were unable to locate Sellers over the following two days.
The search came to an end at approximately 6:45 a.m. on Sunday, July 5, when a fisherman walking along the beach spotted what appeared to be a body floating roughly 200 feet offshore and alerted authorities. Treasure Island police and fire rescue personnel responded to the scene and recovered the body, which was still wearing scuba diving equipment. Officials later confirmed the victim as Sellers.
Cause of Death Under Investigation
TIPD has not released a cause of death. The Pinellas County Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct an examination to determine the official cause and manner of death, while Treasure Island Police continue their own investigation into the circumstances of the dive.
As of this report, authorities have not indicated any specific contributing factor — including equipment failure, marine life involvement, a medical emergency, or foul play. The investigation remains active, and further details are expected as the Medical Examiner’s findings are released.
Treasure Island Beach is a popular shore-diving location west of St. Petersburg, known for its wide, continuous stretch of sand along the Gulf. Sellers’ death adds to a string of recent diving fatalities reported in Florida waters.
A Reminder on Solo Diving
While many experienced, appropriately trained divers do choose to dive independently under the right circumstances, recreational scuba diving is generally practiced using the buddy system, which allows divers to assist one another quickly if something goes wrong underwater. Until investigators release further findings, the exact circumstances surrounding Sellers’ death remain unknown.
Operations and Marketing Manager at Diventures, holds an advanced diver certification and writes outstanding articles for both the website and digital publications. She contributes to every step of the process with her creativity and organizational skills.
