Body found in Tampa Bay ID'd as missing fisherman, officials say

Joshua Ford, 35, didn't return from fishing trip

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Authorities say they've found the body of a missing fisherman in Florida's Tampa Bay.

Florida Fish and Wildlife officials said in a news release sent Sunday afternoon that the body was found near an orange canoe that is similar to the one 35-year-old Joshua Allen Ford took on a day-long fishing trip on Saturday. He was reported missing after failing to return by 5 p.m.

Tampa police earlier said that Ford launched his motorized canoe from Ben T. Davis beach on Saturday morning.

Authorities say he was fishing in an area of Old Tampa Bay near the Courtney Campbell Causeway.

Wildlife officials said the medical examiner's office will do an official autopsy, but did confirm that the body was identified as Ford.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.