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Body of missing boater Stephen Cozzette found, police say

The body of a boater who went missing Saturday afternoon has been found, Ottawa police say, and no foul play is suspected.

Stephen Cozzette, 57, was last seen around 1 p.m. on Aug. 27 in the area of Constance Bay on the Ottawa River.

His boat was found around 4 p.m. that same day, stuck on a shoal along the Quebec side of the river. Police say the engine was still running.

His body was found on Tuesday evening, and police say no foul play is suspected in his death.

Cozzette was a member of the Nepean Sailing Club and friends described him as an experienced sailor.

"I'm feeling anxious. I've been in Steve's boat with him. Sailing is his big hobby," said friend and co-worker Sandy Beveridge in an interview before Cozzette's body was found. Beveridge last saw Cozzette Friday evening for their weekly 5 p.m. hangout.

The two worked together at Abbott Point of Care in Ottawa where Beveridge says Cozzette was crucial in developing the i-stat system, a handheld diagnostic blood testing device.

"He's a scientist and a very, very clever guy… Steve is a meticulous scientist with a very good brain."

Beveridge said Cozzette often sailed alone.

On Facebook, Cozzette said he had owned the boat for close to 22 years.

"She's a labour of love," he wrote.