DATE: July 10, 2009 10:27:06 PM EDT

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News Release

Date:
July 10, 2009 

Contact:
Petty Officer Christopher Evanson
(305) 318-1864
Coast Guard suspends search for missing South Carolina swimmer

 

CHARLESTON, S. C. - The Coast Guard suspended its search at about 9 p.m., Friday, for a missing 22-year-old female last seen swimming off Sullivan’s Island, S.C.

Missing is Anna Finkelstein, 22, of New York, N.Y.

The Coast Guard Sector Charleston operations center was notified via 911 dispatch at approximately 3:57 p.m., Thursday, about a possible missing swimmer off of Sullivan's Island Beach in the vicinity of 21st Ave. Two friends of Finkelstein later confirmed her disappearance.

The Coast Guard along with local law enforcement agencies conducted a 28-hour search along the beach, offshore and in the vicinity of Charleston Harbor.

Rescue crews involved in the search were: 

-- The 225-foot Coast Guard Cutter Oak, homeported in Charleston
-- The 87-foot Coast Guard Cutter Tarpon, homeported in Tybee Island, Ga.
-- Helicopter rescue crews from Coast Guard Air Facility Charleston and Charleston County Sheriff’s Office
-- A South Carolina Department of Natural Resources fixed-wing aircraft crew
-- Multiple rescue boat crews from Coast Guard Station Charleston, Charleston County Rescue, Charleston County Sheriff’s Office,  Sullivan’s Island Fire and Rescue, Mount Pleasant, S.C., Police Department, and Isle of Palms Police Department. 

"After exhaustive search efforts by numerous agencies, we were unable to locate Ms. Finkelstein and the difficult decision was made to suspend our active search," said Lt. Cmdr. Eric King, a search and rescue coordinator at Coast Guard Sector Charleston. "We would like to send our prayers and heartfelt condolences to her family and friends."

 

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