Body Found in Search for Missing Piper PA-34

One body has been recovered during the search for a missing Piper PA-34 Seneca. The aircraft, carrying four members of a Florida family, disappeared on Monday during a flight from the Bahamas to South Florida. NBC 6 reported the body was located by a relative participating in a civilian search organized by the family.

The twin-engine Piper departed Great Harbour Cay. Contact was lost near Andros Island. According to a family statement, the last known contact was around 11:04 a.m. Near the island's western side. Bahamas police said air traffic control lost contact about 13 miles west of Andros.

The pilot was Mario Lamar Sr., 80. His wife, Lili Lamar, 79, was also on board. Their grandchildren, Sofia Sosa, 28, and Christian Sosa, 22, completed the passenger list. Lamar's niece, Silvi Larrieu, told Local 10 News her uncle had over 40 years of flying experience.

Larrieu described her uncle as a careful aircraft owner. "He always does this," she told the station. "My uncle maintained the plane in pristine condition. He was always on top of it."

Weather Conditions at Time of Disappearance

Weather in the region was unsettled around the time the plane vanished. The Bahamas Department of Meteorology issued a warning. Radar and satellite imagery at 11:48 a.m. Showed moderate to heavy showers and embedded thunderstorms moving toward North and Central Andros.

The agency warned of strong gusty winds, dangerous lightning, heavy rain, hail and possible waterspout or tornadic activity. Authorities have not stated whether weather contributed to the disappearance.

Search Efforts Involving Family

Search efforts were complicated by the conditions. The Miami Herald reported that Lamar's son flew to Andros, obtained a boat, and joined the search after weather hampered official efforts. A relative searching from a civilian boat later located the body, according to the family statement.

The Associated Press reported that Bahamian officials requested U.S. Coast Guard assistance on Monday afternoon. The Coast Guard dispatched an HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft. Bahamian police said poor weather later forced the aerial search to be suspended. Local 10 reported the family also hired a private search-and-rescue team.

Silvi Larrieu expressed the family's determination. "We are devastated," she said. "We're still cautiously optimistic because we're still searching and we want to bring them home." The search for the remaining occupants and the aircraft continues.