VALLEJO -- Police said Monday afternoon that a body discovered at the Vallejo marina was that of a missing San Francisco Sheriff's deputy whose boat was found adrift Monday morning.
The body was discovered around 3 p.m. Monday as officials searched for Michael Roberts, 56, of Hercules, who had last been seen Sunday. Police said they did not suspect foul play in Roberts' death; officials at the Solano County Coroner's Office will perform an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
Roberts' body was found by a person who lives on a boat docked about six berths away from where Roberts' boat was found. He was facedown in the water and wearing a life vest when he was found.
Roberts was identified by San Francisco Sheriff's officials, said Vallejo police Lt. Kenny Park.
Park added that there was no sign of a struggle or any visible injuries on Roberts' body.
Anthony Adams, Roberts' nephew, said his uncle had been going out on his boat to fish for years. There was nothing out of the ordinary about Sunday's outing, he said.
"He loved fishing, he loved the outdoors, he loved the water," said Adams, a Hercules resident. "He loved his family. He was just an all-around good guy."
San Francisco Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi offered the department's "deepest sympathy to the family and friends ... and all those who had the pleasure of knowing and working with (Roberts)."
Roberts had worked for the San Francisco Sheriff's Department since January 1998, spokeswoman Susan Fahey said. Roberts, who is married with children, worked in the custody division of the jail, Fahey said, and formerly worked as a bailiff.
Coast Guard Petty Officer Michael Austin said a 26-foot boat found to be registered to Roberts was spotted adrift around 6:30 a.m. near the Vallejo Marina.
Roberts had told a family member Sunday that he was headed out fishing. He did not work Sunday and was not scheduled to work Monday, officials said.
Vallejo police Lt. Kenny Park said before Roberts' body was found that the disappearance was not considered suspicious.
Roberts' identification and other belongings that were used to identify him were found in the drifting boat, Park said.
Staff writers Tom Lochner and Irma Widjojo contributed to this report. Contact Natalie Neysa Alund at 510-293-2469. Follow her at Twitter.com/nataliealund. ___
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