JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is working a missing persons case where they believe a man got into his airplane at Herlong Airport and crashed it into the ocean.
On Tuesday, police were called to Herlong Airport after someone called them about a missing friend, Gene Milowicki. According to authorities, it is believed that Milowicki got into his plane and flew it into the ocean.
Milowicki's airplane was not in the hanger, but his vehicle was, with a suicide note on the front seat.
"Breaks my heart," neighbor Juanita McDaniel said.
The investigation revealed the Milowicki entered the Herlong East gate ramp on early Sunday morning. JSO says since then, a fisherman off the coast of St. Augustine found some plane parts. No human remains have been found and investigators are trying to determine if the parts match Milowicki's aircraft.
Milowicki had been the Director of Aviation at Florida State College of Jacksonville since November 2009. His last day with FSCJ was September 14, 2012. He spent 28 years in the United States Navy as a career Naval officer.
"We wondered why we haven't seen his car over the house in such a long time. But, we didn't ask any questions. Didn't want to be nosy," McDaniel said.
Police do not suspect foul play at this time. The United States Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board are working with JSO on the case. It is an ongoing and active investigation.
