Dr. Chaundre Cross, a radiation oncologist from Florida was sailing in the Gulf of Mexico on August 10. The Coast Guard discovered his boat, Vitamin Sea, with nobody on board. Four days later, the search for Dr. Cross concluded.
Coincidentally, according to Black Enterprise, “his wife, SarahJo, filed for divorce the same day he disappeared.” The publication stressed that she hasn’t been named as a suspect, and foul play seems unlikely.
MedPage Today wrote, “one day after Cross went missing, the Coast Guard located his 33-foot vessel, which was adrift 16 miles south of Sanibel Island, with no sign of Cross. Late in the day on August 14, the Coast Guard announced that it had suspended its search, noting that crews had covered an area of approximately 13,100 square miles over the course of 100 hours.”
Dr. Cross earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. He was a valued member of the medical community in Naples, Florida, and treated patients with cancer of the breast, brain or prostate.
Captain Michael Kahle, a Coast Guard official said, “it is always a difficult decision to suspend a search and rescue case. Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to the family and friends of Dr. Cross during this difficult time.”
The doctor’s employer, GenesisCare, echoed the sentiment in the following statement:
“We are deeply saddened by the presumed loss of our colleague, Dr. Chaundre Cross, following the U.S. Coast Guard’s announcement that it has suspended its search for him. Dr. Cross has served the Naples and Bonita Springs communities for more than 15 years, providing compassionate and expert care to patients undergoing cancer treatment. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his family, friends and work colleagues.”
On social media, Dr. Cross’ stepmother, Kathy Cady, thanked the Coast Guard, the police and others who “unselfishly gave their time and boats in the search for him.” She also asked for prayers and privacy as family and friends grieve.
Dr. Cross was only 49 years old.
