Body recovered from Coast bayou after boat crash identified as Ocean Springs man

An Ocean Springs man killed in a boating accident on Thursday night was identified by the Jackson County Coroner on Friday.

The body of Robert Fishman, 39, was recovered around 8 a.m. Friday morning from Old Fort Bayou near Gulf Hills.

Coroner Bruce Lynd Jr. said law enforcement started investigating after the Department of Marine Resources received a call about an unmanned boat in the bayou around 10:22 p.m. Thursday night.

The boater, who was alone in the boat, hit a structure near the mouth of the bayou, DMR told the Sun Herald. DMR did not specify which structure.

Residents in the Gulf Hills neighborhood of St. Martin reported seeing helicopters flying above them and four police boats searching the water.

No foul play is suspected. While the cause of death has not yet been determined, Lynd said, Fishman’s injuries are consistent with drowning.

This story was originally published March 17, 2023 at 10:27 AM.