MIAMI, FL -- The Coast Guard has suspended its search for a Winter Haven woman who reportedly fell overboard from a cruise ship off Cancun on Christmas night.
Since then, FBI agents have talked the husband of 36-year-old Jennifer Ellis-Seitz. Raymond Seitz has not been charged with any crime, authorities said Monday.
FBI spokesman Mike Leverock says agents met the ship at the dock Sunday, collected materials and "are still trying to determine if a crime occurred."
A cruise ship surveillance camera showed someone falling overboard at 8 p.m. on Thursday, according to the Coast Guard.
Seitz was reported missing to crew members aboard the Norwegian Pearl by her husband bewteen 3 and 4 a.m. Friday.
On Monday, ABC News released a statement the family of Jennifer Ellis-Seitz that may provide some insight into what happened. The statement says in part, " Jennifer...has had previous emotional issues. Jennifer's husband and mother discovered her missing at around 2AM."
"As it was common for her to walk the ship when she was unable to sleep, her husband began searching the ship for her."
"He could not locate her and so he and her mother notified ship security that she was missing at approximately 3:30 a.m. The family has since learned that Norwegian Cruise Line security then performed a full ship search. When that search was completed and she wasn't found, the coast guard was notified."
"The family suspects that Jennifer chose an unfortunate ending to her life. She was a beautiful and caring person and will be truly missed by all who love her." (See full family statement below)
Coast Guard boats helicopters, along with the Mexican navy, searched for Seitz until 3:00 p.m. Monday. The search took place just over 17 miles east of Cancun and beyond. Crews covered more than 2,500 square miles and reported no sign of the missing woman.
"The Coast Guard and Mexican navy conducted an exhaustive search for Jennifer Seitz, but have not located her," said Capt. Dean Lee, Seventh Coast Guard District chief of staff.
The Norwegian Pearl docked in Miami Sunday after a 7-day western Caribbean cruise.
COMPLETE FAMILY STATEMENT
Jennifer and her husband Ray took the cruise in celebration of their first anniversary. They invited Jennifer's mother along on the cruise to celebrate with them.
Jennifer was in a very happy and uplifted mood both before and during the cruise. She was excited about starting a new job and her future career with a local newspaper. She and her husband had been talking about starting their family.
There were no outward signs or indication of anything being wrong or unusual. Jennifer, however, has had previous emotional issues. Jennifer's husband and mother discovered her missing at around 2AM.
As it was common for her to walk the ship when she was unable to sleep, her husband began searching the ship for her.
He could not locate her and so he and her mother notified ship security that she was missing at approximately 3:30 a.m. The family has since learned that Norwegian Cruise Line security then performed a full ship search. When that search was completed and she wasn't found, the coast guard was notified.
The family suspects that Jennifer chose an unfortunate ending to her life. She was a beautiful and caring person and will be truly missed by all who love her.
