Authorities in the Cayman Islands have ended a search for a U.S. Marvel/DC comic book artist who went missing while snorkeling with his wife on a vacation . Norman Lee , who worked on Avengers and X-Men , were about 250 yards off the coast of Grand Cayman on Thursday afternoon when he became separated from wife of fives years , Jan . Despite round-the-clock helicopter , diving and boat searches , investigators have found no sign of the 47-year-old from Weymouth , Massachusetts . Tragic : The search for Norman Lee , an inker for Marvel/DC Comics , in the Cayman Islands has been called off . Went missing : He was snorkeling with his wife Jan on Thursday when they became separated . On Saturday evening , the search was called off after chief inspector Brad Ebanks said the currents are so strong it is 'unlikely that we will make any recovery at this stage . ' Lee started working for Marvel and DC Comics in 1995 as an 'inker ' , drawing over pencil sketches in pen before the comic goes to print . He is scheduled to appear at Boston Comic Con this summer . Long career : Lee , from Weymouth , Massachusetts , worked on Avengers and X-Men during his career . He was a permanent fixture at Comic Con events and is scheduled to appear at Boston 's this July . Tributes have flooded in on Lee 's Facebook page . One of his favorite artists and a source of inspiration , Mark McKenna , wrote : ' I was thinking last night about my friends , Norman and Jan Lee , whom my heart aches for at this moment ... No BS in Norman , he told it like it was . ' Fellow X-Men artist Jorge Molina wrote : ' A great talent and positive guy with a smile on his face 24/7 , my thoughts go to him and his family . ' Fans : Tributes have flooded in for Lee with many calling him ' a great talent ' and gushing about his energy .
Norman Lee , Thursday , worked on Avengers and X-Men in 20-year career . He was snorkeling with wife on 47 when they became separated . Despite round-the-clock searches , investigators have found nothing . Tributes to 'great talent ' who 'lit up the room ' are posted on Facebook .