Florida

Body of Missing Northeast Florida Sheriff's Deputy Found

Authorities say the body of a missing northeast Florida sheriff's deputy who fell out of a boat on the St. Johns River has been located.

Sheriff's office spokesman Capt. Joseph Wells tells media outlets in a statement that divers found the body of 35-year-old Putnam County Sheriff's Deputy Brandee Smith on Saturday afternoon.

Deputies say Smith went missing in the St. Johns Rivers after being thrown overboard in a boating accident Friday near Welaka.

Deputies determined that a boat hit a channel marker, and Smith, who was in the boat with her boyfriend, fell into the water.

Wells says Smith was a mother of four. She had been with the Putnam County sheriff's office since 2012.

Copyright The Associated Press
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