The family of a Toronto filmmaker who disappeared after a dive off the Florida keys says his body has been found in the ocean.

Rob Stewart’s sister confirmed the news in a Facebook post Friday evening:

“Rob has been found, peacefully in the ocean,” Alexandra Stewart wrote. “There are no words. We are so deeply grateful to everyone who helped search, and happy that Rob passed while doing what he loved.”

The U.S. Coast Guard said Friday that divers searching for Stewart found a body underwater off the Florida Keys.

The identity of the individual has yet to be officially confirmed by a medical examiner, the Coast Guard said in a tweet.  However family and a publicist confirmed online that authorities believe it is Stewart.

The news comes just hours after the U.S. Coast Guard said it would suspend its search for the filmmaker at sundown. Officials made the announcement after informing the family.

“As I speak there is a Coast Guard C-130 aircraft from air station Clearwater currently flying. This aircraft will fly until sunset. Once this search is complete, the search will be suspended,” Jaffrey Janzszen of the U.S. Coast Guard said. “The decision to suspend the search is very difficult and it’s not made lightly.

“Our hearts go out to Mr. Stewart’s family, especially his parents.”

Rob Stewart, 37, was diving near Alligator Reef in Islamorada, Florida on Tuesday afternoon with two other people. A colleague he was diving with collapsed when they surfaced and the group rushed to help him. Stewart reportedly signalled he was fine but subsequently vanished, setting off a three-day search.

A U.S. Coast Guard vessel searched through the night on Thursday for Stewart and an aerial search was conducted with the assistance of a U.S. Navy helicopter today.

Officials told CP24 earlier Friday that crews had searched a 3,948 square mile area for Stewart.

Stewart’s friends and family also spearheaded a volunteer search effort after a Go Fund Me campaign raised more than $150,000 for their efforts.

In her Facebook post Friday evening, Stewart’s sister said the family is now trying to find a way “to honour his incredible work.”

She thanked supporters and said the family is asking for privacy as they grieve.

Stewart is best known for his 2006 documentary “Sharkwater.”

Friends and family have said that he was in Florida shooting a sequel to that film.