The FBI has joined the investigation into the disappearance of Norman Lee, the veteran comic book inker who vanished March 5 while snorkeling with his wife in the Cayman Islands.

A spokeswoman for the FBI's Boston office confirmed to the Weymouth, Massachusetts, Patriot Ledger that the agency is assisting the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, but declined to offer details.

In a statement to Grand Cayman's Cayman 27, the police said, "As is done on all investigations involving missing persons from other jurisdictions, authorities from the other jurisdiction, in this case the FBI, are working with us on what continues to be an open investigation."

The 47-year-old Lee, known for his work on Marvel's Marvel Adventures: Spider-Man and Wolverine & The X-Men, was snorkeling with his wife near their hotel on Grand Cayman, about 250 yards from shore, when they became separated. An extensive air and water search was called off after three days without uncovering a sign of Lee.

According to Cayman 27, the RCIPS has declined to say whether foul play is suspected in Lee's disappearance.