Body found off the coast of Biloxi identified as missing shrimper

A 75-year-old shrimper from Biloxi who went missing on Sunday has been found.

Richard Kopszywa was found by a paddleboarder about 10:11 a.m. on the north side of Deer Island near the beach, according to the Coast Guard.

Harrison County Coroner Brian Switzer said there was no obvious trauma, but an autopsy will be performed Wednesday to determine the cause of death.

Kopszywa was reported missing about 11 a.m. Sunday. The Coast Guard and the Department of Marine Resources searched about 37 hours before calling off the search on Monday night.

His wife, Shelley, said her husband was a great fisherman and loved being on the water. “He did it his whole life,” she said.

Kopszywa was inducted into the Maritime Industry and Seafood Museum’s Hall of Fame as a captain.

Known as Rick, Kopszywa operated the oldest known Biloxi Lugger still in operation and also was inducted. The Linda K was the boat that was found off Deer Island and sank while being towed back to the dock in Biloxi.

In his Hall of Fame biography, Kopszywa was noted not just for his historic vessel and contributions to Biloxi’s seafood industry, but also for the love and passion that he has displayed in every act of kindness he performed along the Gulf Coast.