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Fundraiser collects over $20,000 to bring home body of teen who drowned on Tybee Island

The online fundraiser exceeded its ask for $10,000 to raise over $20,000 for the family.

TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. — Editor's note: The video above is from previous coverage of the incident. 

The body of a teen who drowned during the Fourth of July weekend on Tybee Island was transported back to Atlanta after hundreds of donations online. 

Grandparents of 16-year-old Laquavis McCray said thanks to the "outpouring of support," his body was taken back to the city on July 8, just three days after the tragic incident. 

"Thank you so much for the outpouring of support you have given during this difficult time. Laquavis' body is being transported to Atlanta today," his grandmother, Nina White, said in an update to the fundraiser. "We will be meeting with the funeral home soon to make arrangements for his burial. Again; words are not enough to express my gratitude to you all for your contribution. We truly grateful."

The online fundraiser exceeded its ask for $10,000 to raise over $20,000 for the family. They have since closed the fundraiser to any more new donations.

RELATED: Grandparents raise funds to bring home body of Tybee Island drowning victim from Atlanta

Credit: wxia
Laquvis McCray

According to the fundraiser, McCray was on a trip to Savannah with friends to visit their family when he was pulled under the water with two others on July 5. 

"Laquavis was a fun-loving teenager who kept us laughing with his jokes and liked to impress people with his dance moves," his grandmother said in an earlier post on the fundraiser.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources said wardens reported that two people were pulled to safety, but McCray did not come up.

A boat search was initiated by wardens along with Chatham Marine Patrol and Tybee Marine Squadron. After a few hours, the Chatham County Dive Team recovered McCray's body. 

   

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