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Wife Of Florida Oncologist Missing At Sea Filed For Divorce The Day He Vanished
There has been no evidence of foul play in the disappearance of Dr. Chaundre Cross, who vanished while sailing in the Gulf of Mexico more than a week ago.
The wife of a renowned Florida oncologist who vanished in the Gulf of Mexico over a week ago filed for divorce the day her husband went missing, according to court records.
Dr. Chaundre Cross, 49, vanished on Aug. 10 after setting sail in the Gulf of Mexico aboard his 34-foot Crownline, named “Vitamin Sea,” according to the U.S Coast Guard. He was last seen at departing Naples Bay Resort and Marina around 7:30 a.m.
His wife, Sarah Jo Cross, filed for divorce in Collier County the same day, county court documents obtained by Oxygen.com show.
Cross’ ship, the Vitamin Sea, was found abandoned and adrift roughly 16 miles south of Sanibel Island on Thursday afternoon — approximate 25 miles north of where he started his sail.
There's currently no evidence of foul play in Cross' disappearance, according to officials.
On Aug. 14, the U.S. Coast Guard’s Southeast division suspended the search for Dr. Chaundre Cross after scouring approximately 13,000 square miles at sea using helicopters and patrol boats. The search lasted approximately 100 hours.
“It is always a difficult decision to suspend a search and rescue case,” Capt. Michael Kahle, commander of Sector St. Petersburg said in a statement on Sunday. “Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to the family and friends of Dr. Cross during this difficult time.”
Cross’ family confirmed news of the suspended search and thanked U.S. Coast Guard officials for their “rapid response.”
“During this time of grief, please offer prayers of support and respectful privacy for our family,” Kathy Cady, Cross’ stepmother, wrote on Facebook. “Although we now have a void, it will be filled with love, positivity, hope, patience, prayer and, through the Grace of God, comfort. Chaundre’s three children and their mother, his father, stepmother, brothers and their wives, sister, grandmother, aunts, uncles, cousins and long-time close friends thank you for all that was done in the rescue efforts for Chaundre K. Cross, M.D.”
Cross was working as a radiation oncologist in Bonita Springs and Naples at the time of his disappearance. He served as the president of the Board of the Cancer Alliance of Naples, and was formerly a board member for Collier County P.L.A.N. and the American Cancer Society of Naples, according to his biography. The 49-year-old holds degrees from Northwestern University and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Cross completed his residency at Harvard Medical School.
Cross, who is bald and has brown eyes, was last seen wearing a purple shirt and black pants. He’s described as 5-foot-11 and weighing 150 pounds.
Anyone with additional information regarding Cross’ whereabouts is urged to contact the Collier County Sheriff's Office at 239-252-9300.
