Body of Missing Palmetto Veteran Found in Pinellas County Waters

Palmetto Police Chief Scott Tyler confirmed Saturday that a body discovered in the waters off Pinellas County is that of a missing grandfather and U.S. Air Force veteran who vanished nearly two weeks ago.

The remains, recovered last week, were identified as 69-year-old Russell Trudeau, who had last been seen on Sunday, March 30, after departing from his Palmetto boat dock aboard a 17-foot watercraft.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, a Tampa Bay harbor pilot reported seeing Trudeau’s vessel adrift the following day in the Tampa Bay shipping channel. Despite extensive efforts, including joint water and land searches by the Palmetto Police Department and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, Trudeau was not found during the initial operations.

The Coast Guard suspended its search just one day after the report, having covered an estimated 180 square miles of waterways.

While the discovery brings closure to the search, Trudeau’s family is still awaiting final confirmation on the exact cause of death.