It was news that the family of Jeff Bush did not want to hear.
Late Saturday afternoon Hillsborough County Administrator Mike Merrill said the land around the Seffner sinkhole was too unstable and the search for Bush's body was over.
"With all the equipment that we brought in and specialized help we just have not been able to locate Mr. Bush," he explained. "For that reason the rescue effort is being discontinued. At this point it's really not possible to recover the body."
It was news Bush family members say they half-expected.
"I knew whenever the fire department or nobody would go inside the house that this was his last resting place," said Jeremy Bush, Jeff's brother.
Thursday night Jeff Bush was sucked into the ground when a massive sinkhole opened up underneath floor of his home on Faithway Dr. Merrill and his staff was clearly disappointed they could not recover his remains.
"We've done everything we believe that we can," Merrill added. "We wish we could have done more but given the circumstances I couldn't put more people at risk."
Sinkholes form when water seeps below the clay underground and into the limestone. That process leads to the erosion of soil. Engineers say typically there are warning signs in a home like cracks in the wall or distortion in the structure.
The large crevice that formed below the Bush residence was different.
"The problem with this one is was it was entirely in the building at least initially so," said engineer Ross McGillivray with Ardaman and Associates. "It was hidden until it became catastrophic."
Early Sunday morning crews will demolish the home – very carefully.
"It needs to be done from outside the perimeter with huge equipment that will be able to reach in and bring out whatever we can of the house," Merrill said.
Two houses on either side of Bush's residence were also evacuated on Saturday. Officials say one of them has been compromised by the sinkhole. More tests are scheduled to determine if those structures will also need to be torn down.
Merrill: "As they begin to work with that home they'll make decisions about the other two."
Family and friends of the victim gathered shortly after the news conference for an impromptu memorial service. It was heartbreaking to say the least.
"He'd give you the shirt off his back," Jeremy Bush said of his brother, fighting back tears. "He was a great guy."
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:44 PM EDT2013-05-22 23:44:14 GMT
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:29 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:29:45 GMT
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:15 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:15:21 GMT
An Army soldier has been charged with secretly photographing and videotaping women at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, including in a bathroom.
An Army soldier has been charged with secretly photographing and videotaping women at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, including in a bathroom.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 1:00 PM EDT2013-05-22 17:00:29 GMT
An emotional funeral service has been held for a Hofstra University student who was accidentally shot by police.
An emotional funeral service has been held for a Hofstra University student who was accidentally shot by police. Andrea Rebello's family followed the pastor Wednesday as he led her white cloth-draped coffin to the altar at St. Teresa of Avila Church in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:55 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:55:01 GMT
Jersey shore town is celebrating a milestone as it rebuilds from Superstorm Sandy. Belmar officials will reopen their 1.3-mile boardwalk that was destroyed by the October storm.
Jersey shore town is celebrating a milestone as it rebuilds from Superstorm Sandy. Belmar officials will reopen their 1.3-mile boardwalk that was destroyed by the October storm.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:27 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:27:26 GMT
Black and Hispanic men are more likely to be stopped in the Bronx and Brooklyn than other boroughs, according to an analysis of police street stop data released Wednesday by the New York Civil Liberties Union.
Black and Hispanic men are more likely to be stopped in the Bronx and Brooklyn than other boroughs, according to an analysis of police street stop data released Wednesday by the New York Civil Liberties Union.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:10 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:10:42 GMT
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police.
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police. The incident Monday night involved two men, who police say, had met at the Bowery Mission and went out drinking together in the East Village. Roman Gornell, 39, was arrested on Wednesday.
Several large pieces of equipment that will be used to demolish the home on Faithway Dr. were brought in on Saturday night.
