Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD), Homicide Bureau detectives are investigating an incident that occurred while on board a Piper airplane. According to investigators, it was reported that a passenger on board jumped off or fell from the airplane while flying a couples miles off shore. The flight had departed from a local airport located at 12800 SW 137th Avenue, Miami, Florida. MDPD’s Aviation and Marine units along with local agencies immediately responded to the area in order to locate the victim; however, the recovery efforts were called off due to inclement weather and poor visibility and will continue at daybreak.
According to investigators, the pilot was the only other individual on board.
The investigation continues.
UPDATE #1: MDPD continues the investigation regarding the incident above. MDPD's Aviation and Marine units along with our local law enforcement partners continue in the recovery efforts. As of this morning, the victim's body has not been recovered.
UPDATE #2: As of this update, the victim has not been recovered. According to MDPD's Marine Patrol, the recovery efforts have been expanded from Haulover Beach south to Turkey Point due to the currents and weather conditions.
UPDATE #3: As of this update, the victim has not been recovered; however, he has been identified and listed above. Due to the ongoing and active investigation, the pilot's identity is not available for release at this time.
UPDATE #4: As of this update, the victim, who is presumed deceased, has not been recovered. Recovery efforts continue from Haulover Beach south to Turkey Point and approximately 2 miles east of shore. MDPD's Marine Patrol will search until nightfall and will resume again tomorrow Saturday, November 16th, 2013. Recovery efforts will continue until nightfall on Saturday, November 16th, which will conclude the recovery efforts. The pilot's identity continues to be exempt as the investigation is active and ongoing.
UPDATE #5: The Miami-Dade Police Department, Homicide Bureau continues to follow all leads in the death investigation of Gerardo Nales. MDPD - Marine Patrol Units continued their search today. At approximately 10:30 a.m. they located a deceased person in the mangrove area just south of SW 184 Street, ocean side. Even though we presume that the body found is that of Gerardo Nales, investigators are pending "official identification" from the Medical Examiner's Office.
UPDATE #6: According to investigators, the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner Department has positively identified the deceased person that was located in the mangrove to be Gerardo Nales. The pilot's identity continues to be exempt as the investigation is active and ongoing.
No further information is available at this time.