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A Suffolk County Underwater Marine Rescue crew located a body in the Great South Bay near Babylon at around 6:45 a.m. Thursday, May 11, a Suffolk County Police spokesperson confirmed to Daily Voice.
The body was later confirmed to be that of 28-year-old James Jaronczyk, of Massapequa, according to a Facebook post from Village of Babylon Mayor Mary Adams.
“James was found in the location where rescue teams and divers were concentrating on just west of the Village Pool,” Adams said.
“Out of respect for the Jaronczyk family, the Village pool parking lot will only be open for family and friends at this time.”
It marked a tragic ending to a four-day search that began at around 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 7, when Jaronczyk was knocked off his 22-foot Progression speedboat after hitting a wave, according to police.
Multiple agencies, including the United States Coast Guard, the Suffolk County Police Marine Bureau and local fire departments, fanned out looking for any sign of the man.
Relatives took to social media pleading with the public to check their backyards, private docks, or anywhere on the shore.
Coast Guard crews suspended their search for Jaronczyk on Tuesday, May 9.
“The Village of Babylon sends to the entire Jaronczyk family our love, thoughts, and prayers,” Adams said.
A GoFundMe campaign to help the family with memorial expenses has been set up. Those who wish to donate to the campaign can do so here.
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