Coroner identifies body found near MS Coast shoreline as missing Hall of Fame shrimper

A distinguished local shrimper missing since Sunday was found in the water near the Biloxi shoreline Tuesday morning, hours after the Coast Guard called off a two day search across more than a thousand miles, authorities said.

Harrison County Coroner Brian Switzer identified the man as Richard Kopszywa, 75, of Biloxi.

Switzer said a paddleboarder found Kopszywa at 10 a.m. Tuesday on the north side of Deer Island, between the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and the Kuhn Street pier. An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday.

The Coast Guard began searching for Kopszywa after 11 a.m. on Sunday. Kopszywa’s wife reported usually checked in each day, said William Winston, an ensign at the Sector Mobile Public Affairs Office. But his wife did not hear from him on Sunday, according to the Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard used a plane, helicopter and several boats but found no sign of Kopszywa after it searched 1,032 square nautical miles over 37 hours. The Coast Guard stopped searching Monday night.

Kopszywa was captain of the Linda-K — the oldest known Biloxi Lugger still operating, according to the Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum. Kopszywa is listed in the museum’s hall of fame.

Kopszywa worked with his father on the boat from a young age, according to the museum. A biography listed on its website says Kopszywa was “notable not just for his historic vessel and contributions to Biloxi’s seafood industry, but also for the love and passion that he has displayed in every act of kindness he has performed along the beautiful Gulf Coast.”

This story was originally published November 26, 2024 at 1:33 PM.