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7th Coast Guard District

U.S. Coast Guard

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News Release

Date: February 25, 2010

Contact: Lt. j.g. Matthew Meinhold

(305) 292-8836

Coast Guard searches for missing woman near Key West

KEY WEST, Fla. -- The Coast Guard is actively searching for Michelle Henson, 37, of Key West after her live-aboard boat neighbor reported her missing Thursday.

Coast Guard search-and-rescue coordinators at Sector Key West received a call from Henson's neighbor, a fellow live-aboard boat resident in Cow Key Channel between Key West and Stock Island, Fla., at 11:15 a.m., Thursday reporting they last saw Henson Wednesday night get onboard her dingy and take off towards Key West.

Henson's neighbor became worried Thursday because Henson typically returns by the next morning but hadn't this time. Henson's neighbor also reported Henson's bike was still locked up in its normal spot and there was no sign of Henson's dingy.

The Coast Guard responded immediately by issuing an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast, requesting the assistance of nearby mariners and launching a boatcrew from Station Key West.

The boatcrew from Station Key West searched the area and talked to other neighboring live-aboards but their searches yielded no results.

If anyone has any information on Henson they are asked to contact the Coast Guard by VHF radio on Channel 16 or dial directly to 305-295-9700.

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