Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
-Marine/Environmental Lands Unit
Investigative Operations Bureau
- Robbery & Homicide Unit
Forensic Science Division
Gulfport Police Department
United States Coast Guard

Matthew Richard Eelman (Deceased)
DOB: 05/16/1955
3901 SW 20^th Avenue, Apartment #402 in Gainesville, Fl.

What:
Deputies assigned to the Marine/Environmental Lands Unit are conducting a death investigation after a body was found floating in Boca Ciega Bay.

When:
Deputies were called to the location at about 1:08 p.m. on Thursday, November 7, 2019.

Where:
The deceased was found floating near Intercoastal Waterway Marker #29 in Boca Ciega Bay.

Why/How:
According to deputies, 64-year-old Matthew Eelman was last seen leaving a friend’s vessel at approximately 1:00 a.m., early Thursday morning on November 7, 2019. Eelman, who had been drinking, was described as showing signs of impairment when he got onto his small boat to return to his live-aboard sailboat, located nearby.

On Thursday afternoon, November 7, 2019 at 12:15 p.m., a citizen located a small capsized boat and reported it to the Gulfport Police Department. That boat was later determined to be the same boat Eelman was last seen in.
About an hour later, at 1:08 p.m., a body, later identified as Eelman, was found floating nearby and Pinellas deputies were notified.

Deputies say the death appears accidental and not suspicious in nature.  

Next of kin has been notified.

The investigation continues.