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Coast Guard suspends search for missing cruise ship passenger off Fort Myers

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FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Coast Guard has suspended its search for a passenger who went overboard from a cruise ship off the coast of Fort Myers.

They suspended the search around 9 p.m. Wednesday.

Brian Lamonds of North Carolina is believed to have fallen off the Carnival Paradise around 10 a.m Tuesday. The ship was about 85 miles west of Fort Myers. 

“I have been in contact with members of Mr. Lamonds’ family throughout our search efforts and know this is a very difficult and painful time for them,” said Cmdr. David Aldous, search and rescue mission coordinator for the Coast Guard 7th District. “Suspending a search is one of the most difficult decisions we have to make as first responders, and it is never made lightly.”

Crews covered about 3,059 square miles during the search.