VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Officials in Volusia County are investigating the deaths of two people who were found on a boat in the Intracoastal Waterway near New Smyrna Beach Sunday morning.
Investigators say it is a married couple who was found dead in the boat, and the grim discovery dampened many spirits this Independence Day.
The victims have been identified as Howard and Sandra Lupton and they were vacationing from Palatka, Putnam County.
Joy Hill with the Florida fish and Wildlife Commission told Eyewitness News the couple was anchored to Disappearing Island overnight off New Smyrna Beach. A hotspot for dozens of boaters celebrating the holiday.
People can only get to Disappearing Island by boat. It's actually a sandbar, and it got its name because during high tide water covers it, causing it to disappear.
Investigators say the Luptons locked up their 29-foot boat, turned on its generator to power the A/C and went to sleep.
"In the morning the son went to check on his parents and they were none responsive," said Hill.
Witnesses remember the cries for help coming for the couple's son and fiancee who were in this boat next to them.
"It's a terrible tragedy. It really is, to find your parents that way, I couldn't imagine," said boater, Mike McQuarrie.
911 dispatch reported the couple found dead at about 11 a.m. Sunday. Carbon monoxide poisoning is believed to be the cause of the deaths.
An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday to find out if the fumes from the generator did in fact cause the deaths. There is no word as to whether a carbon monoxide detector was on board.
WFTV
