Florida Oncologist Presumed Lost at Sea

After the U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search for Chaundre Cross, MD, a radiation oncologist from Naples, Florida, the local medical community is mourning the 49-year-old physician who has been presumed lost at sea.

Cross, who specializes in prostate, breast, and brain cancers, set out on his boat, the “Vitamin Sea,” on August 10, according to NBC News. However, when he did not return later that day, the Colliers County Sheriff’s Office said that it was looking for him after family members expressed concern. A search by the Coast Guard followed, but to no avail.

One day after Cross went missing, the Coast Guard located his 33-foot vessel, which was adrift 16 miles south of Sanibel Island, with no sign of Cross. Late in the day on August 14, the Coast Guard announced that it had suspended its search, noting that crews had covered an area of approximately 13,100 square miles over the course of 100 hours.

“It is always a difficult decision to suspend a search and rescue case,” said Capt. Michael Kahle, commander of Sector St. Petersburg, in a statement. “Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to the family and friends of Dr. Cross during this difficult time.”

According to Fox News, Cross’s wife filed for divorce on the same day that he went missing.

Officials said that there is no suspicion of foul play in his disappearance.

Cross’s employer GenesisCare issued a statement shortly after the suspension of the search, which they shared with MedPage Today in an email.

“We are deeply saddened by the presumed loss of our colleague, Dr. Chaundre Cross, following the U.S. Coast Guard’s announcement that it has suspended its search for him,” the statement read. “Dr. Cross has served the Naples and Bonita Springs communities for more than 15 years, providing compassionate and expert care to patients undergoing cancer treatment. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his family, friends and work colleagues.”

In addition to treating patients, Cross had also been involved in the local oncology community.

Scott Hansen, who currently serves as board president of the Cancer Alliance of Naples, confirmed in an email to MedPage Today that Cross was a board member from 2011 to 2016 and briefly served as president during that time.

Cross earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, and completed a residency in radiation oncology at Harvard Medical School in Boston, according to his profile on GenesisCare’s website.