Virgil Macniel Price III, 38, was last seen the morning of May 12, 2024, while spearfishing near the S.S. Halsey shipwreck about 13 miles southeast of the Fort Pierce Inlet. An experienced freediver and instructor with Florida Freedivers, Price went down with two other divers; three went down but only two returned to the surface. He failed to resurface after that dive.

A large search and rescue operation by the U.S. Coast Guard and the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office covered more than 1,400 square miles over 36 hours. Conditions at the wreck were described as challenging, with strong currents, entanglement hazards from fishing lines and sharp, rusty metal on the wreck, which lies at about 65 feet. The search was suspended the evening of May 12, 2024, and Price’s body was not recovered; he is presumed lost at sea. His family is working to create an artificial reef in his memory.

If anyone was on the water near the S.S. Halsey on May 12 or has information about that day, please share what is known.