ENFIELD, Conn. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- Jennifer Bakowski is angry and growing concerned. Her brother, 36-year-old Joshua Devine, went missing over the weekend. Devine, a U.S. army veteran, disappeared during a scuba diving vacation.
It's a frustration I've never felt before in my life," said Bakowski. "He's a survivor, he's very strong. But even the strongest person can only swim for so long."
Bakowski told FOX25's Bob Ward that the local government called off its search for Devine in observance of the Thai New Year.
"This is unacceptable," Bakowski said. "It is unacceptable to say one man's life is less important than a holiday."
Devine used a selfie stick to take a picture of himself and his wife just before the boat left shore. His family is focusing on another picture from the boat which they say shows Devine looking agitated while talking to the boat's captain.
Shortly after the picture was taken, Bakowski says Devine was put in the boat's storage room to cool down for 15 minutes. Bakowski says her brother has not been seen since.
"I think they put him in the water on purpose and basically went away from him," Bakowski said.
Devine's family lives in Enfield, Connecticut, which is half a world away from Thailand. They're doing whatever they can to try to get some help. Devine's mother and sister have set up a Facebook account are calling their congressman in the hopes of having the search resumed.
Devine's family believes he is still out there, just waiting to saved.