Search Called Off For Woman Who Jumped Off Mackinac Bridge

MACKINAC (WWJ) - A Michigan State Police investigation remains open, but the Coast Guard has called off the search for a woman seen jumping from the Mackinac Bridge on New Year's Eve.

State police in Saint Ignace said, as of Wednesday afternoon, they had not yet recovered a body.

Talking to WWJ Newsradio 950 on Wednesday, Coast Guard Officer Keith West said there's no telling exactly how long a person could survive exposure to the extreme weather conditions.

"It varies from person to person. You know ... basically, body make up, will to live, those kinds of things play a factor," West said.

West said there have been no sightings since Monday.  "They actually had a visual on the victim in the water for approximately 20 minutes, but lost right of the victim due to nightfall and blowing snow," he said.

West said the search was called off due to poor weather conditions in northern Michigan.

Investigators said the woman jumped from mid-span -- about 200 feet. The water temperature was in the mid-30s.

The woman's name has not been released.