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Boaters still missing on Lake Okeechobee

Posted 1:35 PM, Feb 07, 2016
and last updated 9:36 PM, Feb 08, 2016

Two boaters on Lake Okeechobee still have not been located after they went missing over the weekend.

John Russ, 72, and his wife, 62-year-old Diane Russ, were last seen in an air boat Saturday night around Bird Island, at the Twin Markers on Lake Okeechobee.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission along  with the Glades County Sheriff's Office and the U.S. Coast Guard, conducted a search throughout the night Saturday.

The Coast Guard has suspended its search but FWC has not.

The couple is from Myakka City, Fla. in Manatee County. 

The U.S. Coast Guard tweeted Monday morning they have suspended their search.

Authorities said a friend of the Russ' reported the couple failed to return from a boating trip. 

Search team efforts were hampered Sunday due to severe weather, according to Carol Lyn Parrish with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. 

FWC said a boat was recovered Sunday, and confirmed it is the couple's boat.