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Man sought by deputies found dead in Braden River

Law enforcement initially launched the investigation of a possible drowning in Bradenton on Friday.

BRADENTON, Fla. — The body of the man who swam toward a dock but went underwater was found on Saturday, the Manatee County Sheriff's Office said. 

The man's body was found by a marine unit in the river north of the State Road 70 bridge and about 400 yards from where he was last seen, according to a sheriff's office news release. He has reportedly been identified as Shaun Wear, and his family and been notified.

Detectives on the scene say there was no evidence of trauma found and the medical examiner's office determined Wear's death as an accidental drowning.

Deputies were called just after 8 a.m. Friday about Wear, who was spotted by neighbors in the Marshall's Landing gated community and said to be trespassing, Manatee County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Randy Warren explained during a news conference.

People reported that he was screaming and pushing down mangroves while heading into the river. Deputies spoke with him knowing who he was because of prior encounters with law enforcement, Warren said.

The man reportedly said he did not want to be arrested.

As deputies made an effort to go into the river, Wear at some point started to swim toward a dock and then went underwater.

Credit: Manatee County Sheriff's Office

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