The body of a Canadian filmmaker who disappeared off
the coast of Florida has reportedly been found.
Shortly after announcing that it would be suspending its search, the US Coast Guard tweeted that a body had been found at a depth of 220ft.
The 37-year-old from Toronto was known for his 2006
documentary Sharkwater.
Crews had been looking for him since 17:15 local time
(22:15 GMT) on Tuesday evening, when he was reported missing while diving.
At about 15:00 on Friday, the Coast Guard announced it
would suspend its search at sunset. Four hours later, it tweeted that his body had been reportedly found.
"We're confident that we've done everything we can," said
a spokesperson for the US Coast Guard. "Our hearts go out
to his family and friends."
The Coast Guard says it searched a 5,500 sq mile
area (14,244 sq km).
Mr Stewart briefly surfaced and then disappeared while
diving with friends near the Florida Keys.
He was diving about six miles off the coast of Islamorada,
according to his friends.
Crowdsourcing campaign Mr Stewart's sister told media Toronto that he had been diving with three friends, who all made it back to the boat safely. She said that the dive was "particularly difficult".
The Coast Guard deployed multiple boats and an Air
Station Miami MH-65 Dolphin helicopter to help with
the rescue mission.
The Navy, local police and the Florida wildlife conservation
commission also joined in the search.
Mr Stewart's friends fundraised and crowdsourced for volunteers to help with the search after he went missing.
Mr Stewart won national acclaim for Sharkwater, taking
home more than a dozen awards.
He was in Florida filming its sequel, according to his
social media accounts.

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