Joshua Hensley, above, was known for dressing as “Captain Jack Sparrow” during community events in the Crystal River area of West Coast Florida.
The body of 43-year-old Joshua Hensley was recovered by Florida sheriff’s deputies in the waters off the Gulf Coast of Florida today. He was known locally for dressing as “Capt. Jack Sparrow” from the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies. He was dressed as Sparrow when he went missing Saturday night.
A Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater MH-60 Jayhawk searched the areas of Kings Bay and Crystal River overnight and a Coast Guard Station Yankeetown 29-foot Response Boat took up the search this morning.
The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office said it will continue to investigate the incident and provide more information as it becomes available.
“We offer our deepest condolences to Joshua’s family and friends in this difficult time. Captain Jack was a beloved figure in the community and will be missed,” the Sherrif’s Office wrote.
Hensley was last seen by Park Rangers at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14, as he launched his paddle board at Hunter Springs Park.
Hensley was wearing brown, colonial style pants, a brown and white jacket, and a brown bandanna. Authorities said that Hensley may have been taking his paddle board out to Shell Island to watch the sunset. Park Rangers contacted the Sheriff’s Office at around 9 p.m. on Sunday, after growing concerned that Henley’s vehicle had remained in the Hunter Springs parking lot overnight.
Dozens of local residents posted condolences on the Sheriff’s Office Facebook Page, many recalling family encounters with “Captain Jack” at community events, where he posed for pictures with children. “So tragic. Josh generously lent his paddleboards and his time to our local Special Olympics paddleboarding program. He went out and paddled with our athletes every week during paddleboarding season for years. He very much will be missed,” wrote one of the commenters, Barbara Fleck.
