Jeffrey Anderson, a 51-year-old resident of Denton, Texas, went missing after renting a boat from the Galveston Yacht Marina on November 27th. Anderson had departed from the marina at approximately 2:30 p.m. on a 22-foot center console boat with a blue Bimini top. His intended destination was the SS Selma, a shipwreck off the coast of Pelican Island. He had informed the marina that he would return before sunset, but he failed to do so.
The marina reported Anderson missing around 7 p.m. on the same day. The boat he had rented, along with Anderson himself, remained missing as of the time of the report. Authorities launched a search and rescue mission, covering an area of approximately 1,577 square miles over a period of more than 38.69 combined hours. Despite extensive efforts, the search was eventually suspended by the Coast Guard due to lack of conclusive evidence or sightings.
Russell Finney, owner of Finney Boat & Watersport Rentals, the company operating at the marina, stated that there was no suspicion of foul play or theft regarding the missing boat. The boat had been rented through a third-party website specializing in boat rentals.
After a week, Anderson's 22-foot center console boat, which he had rented from the Galveston Yacht Marina, was found abandoned and washed ashore in Corpus Christi, TX
Given the discovery of Jeffrey Anderson's boat washed ashore in Corpus Christi, several theories could be considered regarding what may have happened to him:
- Accidental Mishap: Anderson may have encountered unforeseen difficulties during his boating excursion, such as mechanical issues with the boat, inclement weather, or navigational challenges. These could have led to an accident or stranding at sea, resulting in his disappearance. The ship he was visiting, had crashed in 1920 when it hit a jetty.
- Foul Play: The circumstances surrounding Anderson's disappearance and the discovery of his boat in a different location raise the possibility of foul play. It's conceivable that Anderson encountered individuals with malicious intent while on his boating trip, leading to his disappearance and the abandonment of the boat.
- Intentional Disappearance: Although less likely, it's plausible that Anderson may have intentionally disappeared for personal reasons. However, this theory would require further investigation into Anderson's background, motives, and any evidence suggesting a deliberate act.
- Natural Causes: Anderson's disappearance could also be attributed to natural causes, such as a medical emergency or injury while at sea. If Anderson experienced a health crisis or injury that incapacitated him, he may have been unable to return to shore, leading to his disappearance.
- Environmental Factors: Environmental factors, such as strong currents or turbulent weather conditions, could have played a role in Anderson's disappearance. If he encountered unexpected environmental challenges while at sea, he may have been swept away from his intended route, making it difficult for rescuers to locate him.