Missing kayaker identified as prominent Florida developer

The Coast Guard had planes as early as 6:AM up and down the beach of Belmar , I guess this is why. ...they were still searching the coast line as late as 6pm tonight via Coast Guard Helicopter


BREAKING NEWS: Missing kayaker identified as prominent Florida developer
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 09/13/07
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POINT PLEASANT BEACH — Coast Guard officials continue to search for a missing kayaker, who has been identified as a prominent developer from Fort Myers, Fla., who recently has been plagued by lawsuits.

Frank D'Alessandro, 52, went missing Wednesday. The Coast Guard and the New Jersey State Police Marine Services Bureau began their search for him off of Point Pleasant Beach after a family member called authorities because he failed to meet her for a scheduled lunch date.

D'Alessandro is a partner in the commercial real estate development firm of Gates, D'Alessandro and Woodyard LLC of Fort Myers, Fla.

In April 2003, D'Alessandro and First Home Builders president Pat Logue teamed up to present the real estate market in the Fort Myers area with a plan to sell leased-up houses to investors.

The plan went well at first but collapsed in 2006 as rental rates and prices plummeted. Numerous lawsuits have been filed, but D'Alessandro and his attorneys have denied any wrongdoing.

D'Alessandro was in Point Pleasant to visit his mother who just underwent surgery, according to police. He had rented an oceanfront home in Point Pleasant Beach for a two-week stay.

On Wednesday, the Coast Guard received the missing report about D'Alessandro at 1:30 p.m. and a helicopter was on the scene three minutes later, according to Petty Officer Nyx Cangemi.

Soon after, the crew discovered an overturned orange kayak about nine miles off shore, he said, adding that authorities have not confirmed that the kayak belonged to the missing boater.

On Wednesday night, the Air National Guard also searched for about two hours, said Cangemi.

The search continued today without any sign of D'Alessandro