
The person at the center of this case
Greg Mickey
Justice for Greg Mickey — the trail went cold in 2005, but the truth hasn't.
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Why was Greg's weight belt found open on the bottom? Did he intentionally ditch it to swim to the boat, or did something else cause it to open?
Greg was an advanced diver in full protective gear only 50 feet from his boat—what circumstances could have prevented him from reaching safety?
The strong cross current swept one partner 4 miles away but he survived. Why did Greg, attempting to swim to the boat, not resurface or leave any trace?
Greg Mickey, a 42-year-old advanced certified diver, disappeared on June 18, 2005, while diving near Frying Pan Shoals off the coast of Brunswick, North Carolina. He was swept away by a strong cross current during a free ascent in rough waters approximately 50 feet from his dive boat. Despite an extensive Coast Guard search covering over 1,000 square miles and the recovery of his weight belt, his body was never found, leaving the circumstances of his disappearance unexplained.
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Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
No body recovery despite extensive 1,000+ square mile Coast Guard search—could currents have carried him beyond search parameters?
Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
NamUs case MP7253. Missing person: Greg Mickey.
Last known contact: 2005-06-18 in Frying Pan Shoals, Brunswick, NC. Circumstances: Mickey, 42, was diving with two friends early Saturday afternoon near Frying Pan Shoals, about 30 miles southeast of Bald Head Island.
His friends lost sight of him in rough waters around noon on June 18th, 2005. According to his diving partners, he was last seen on the surface about 50 feet from his boat, "Details." A strong cross current swept him and his dive partner northwest of the boat during a free ascent after they failed to find the anchor line at the end of the 110 ft dive.
One partner was recovered by the Coast Guard 9 hours later, 4 miles northwest of the dive site, and the third man made it back to the dive boat. Greg ditched his BC and tank in an attempt to make the swim to boat.
Divers recovered Greg's weight belt on the bottom, open, 4 days later, but his body was never recovered. Greg was an advanced certification diver in a full wetsuit, mask, fins and snorkle, so close to the boat, so what happened to him remains a mystery.
The US Coast Guard conducted 40 search missions that covered more than 1,000 square miles with aircraft and boats. Others have conducted private searches for Mickey as well.
Demographics: 58 years, Male, White / Caucasian. Physical description: 5 ft 10 in, 172 lbs, hair: Brown, eyes: Brown.
Clothing and accessories: Clothing: Greg was wearing a 7 mm full body wetsuit brand – 43 Dacor, Black, white lettering (Dacor) on outer sleeves and white logo on chest circle with a diver photo; thick plastic shin guards, Back Zipper, possible bootie/gloves; Clear Face Mask; Neon Green Flippers/Fins w/ Black Leading down sides – Open Heel; and carrying an AB Biller Spear Gun/Wood Stock w/ Red Coil Attached (.357 Power Head); Jewelry: Wedding Ring (gold, woven rope inside band & identifying script; ALL Silver Face/Band (Brand New) Dive Watch – Tag Heuer. Investigating agency: United States Coast Guard | misle#237125.
Mickey last seen on surface approximately 50 feet from dive boat in rough waters near Frying Pan Shoals. Strong cross current swept him northwest during free ascent after failing to locate anchor line at 110 ft depth.
One of Mickey's two diving partners recovered by Coast Guard approximately 9 hours after disappearance, 4 miles northwest of dive site. Third diver made it back to boat.
Divers recovered Greg's open weight belt from the bottom of Frying Pan Shoals, 4 days after disappearance.
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.