Search for Missing Princess Anne Man Concludes

SOMERSET COUNTY, MD - The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) has concluded the search for 65-year-old Gregg Allan Thomas of Princess Anne, Maryland.

Officers located Mr. Thomas deceased near South Marsh Island in Tangier Sound. The discovery brings an end to an 11-day search effort that began earlier in the month.

NRP officers responded to the southwestern shore of South Marsh Island at approximately 11:30 a.m. on December 11, 2025.

Flight crew members aboard the department's helicopter, Natural 1, spotted the body while conducting aerial searches of the area.

The investigation began on December 1, when Thomas's 40-foot commercial vessel, "Olivia Grace II," was discovered unmanned and in gear. The vessel was found at approximately 4:30 p.m. in the Holland Straits area, north of Smith Island.

Thomas had departed from Deal Island in Somerset County that morning to commercially harvest oysters.

The extensive search operation involved support from multiple agencies, including Maryland State Police Aviation and the U.S. Coast Guard. Several local volunteer fire companies from Deal Island-Chance, Crisfield, Ewell, and Mt. Vernon also assisted, alongside local community members and watermen.