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Minnesota raceway owner dies after falling overboard off Florida coast

Published  November 13, 2018 11:25am CST
News
FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul
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Kristi Copham (left) and John "Jed" Copham (right) the day before Jed died during a swimming accident in Florida. Photo courtesy of Kristi Copham. 

(KMSP) - The body of a missing boater found off of the west coast of Florida has been identified as Jed Copham, owner of Brainerd International Raceway.

According to authorities, on Sunday, the Lee County sheriff's office responded to the Sanibel Causeway on a report of a man overboard. Multiple agencies searched the area, but were unable to locate a body.

On Monday, the sheriff's office responded to the Punta Rassa boat ramp shortly before 10 a.m. on a report of a body in the water. The body was identified as 46-year-old John "Jed" Copham of Minnesota.

Friends and family say Jed was boating with his family off the coast of Fort Myers when he went overboard and tragically never surfaced. 

Authorities say there appears to be no criminal aspect to the investigation.