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June 2, 2003

Missing deaf -mute man found dead in water at Oleta River park

From: Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel, FL - Jun 2, 2003

Sun-sentinel.com & NBC6

NORTH MIAMI -- The body of a missing 20-year-old deaf and mute man was found submerged in a roped-off swimming area at the Oleta River State Park in northeast Miami-Dade County Monday morning, police said.

Joselex Antoine had been attending a company picnic with his parents when he disappeared on Sunday afternoon. He was last seen running along the beach. His shirt and sandals were found on the shore near where his body was later found. Family said Antoine could not swim.

Monday around 10:30 a.m., a police diver recovered Antoine's body from less than 10 feet of water about 15 feet from shore in the roped-off beach area.

Although no foul play is suspected and the death is believed to be accidental, an autopsy has been ordered to determine the cause and time of death.

Oleta River State Park, on the 3400 block of Northeast 163rd Street, is the largest urban park in the state and covers 1,043 acres. It is located on Biscayne Bay in northeast Dade County and its most prominent natural feature is the Oleta River, for which the park is named. At one time, the river ran north into the Everglades.

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