A tragic incident has emerged in the Florida Keys, where a 63-year-old woman from Mississippi, Lecia Elizabeth Spriggs, lost her life while snorkeling near the Mule Keys. The event occurred on May 26, and authorities have since stated that no foul play is suspected. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) has confirmed that an autopsy is pending.
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Spriggs was reportedly with a commercial snorkeling company when she was found unresponsive in the waters around the uninhabited Mule Keys, situated off Key West. Emergency response personnel received the call at approximately 1:30 PM. Despite attempts at resuscitation, which included CPR conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard who assisted in bringing her to shore, she could not be revived.
She was subsequently taken to the Lower Keys Medical Center located on Stock Island, where medical staff pronounced her dead. The MCSO has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death, although preliminary assessments suggest that foul play is not a factor in this incident.
This unfortunate event marks the second snorkeling-related fatality to occur in the Florida Keys within the month of May. Earlier in the month, on May 10, a 56-year-old man named Benjamin Lee Millspaw from Belmont, North Carolina, also died under similar circumstances. Millspaw had been found unconscious while participating in a snorkeling excursion near Cottrell Key, another location close to Key West.
Like Spriggs, Millspaw was with a commercial snorkel company at the time of the incident. Emergency personnel responded promptly and he was also transported to the Lower Keys Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
The recent occurrences have raised concerns about the safety of water activities in the area. The Florida Keys are renowned for their vibrant marine life and beautiful underwater landscapes, making snorkeling a popular tourist activity. However, these incidents serve as stark reminders of the potential risks involved in such excursions.
Authorities continue to investigate both cases to better understand the circumstances that led to these tragic outcomes. The MCSO has indicated that further information will be released following the autopsy results for Spriggs, and the public is encouraged to remain cautious while enjoying water activities.
As inquiries proceed, the local community is grieving these losses, and support is being extended to the families affected by these tragic incidents. Local officials and health authorities are likely to review safety protocols for commercial snorkelling operators to ensure the well-being of future participants.
Further updates from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office are expected in the coming days as investigations conclude and more details come to light. As families mourn their loved ones, this month’s events highlight the importance of safety measures in aquatic environments, particularly in a region as popular for water-based activities as the Florida Keys.