TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. — A 16-year-old who was missing off the coast of a Tybee Island beach on Friday morning has been found dead, according to police.
The Tybee Island Police Department shared in a Facebook post that emergency personnel responded to the Inlet Avenue beach access after receiving a call of a swimmer in distress just before 11 a.m.
Police said they learned that two 16-year-olds had been in the water off the Back River Beach when their family realized they were struggling and in distress. Police said a family member and others were able to rescue one of the teens, but the other teen never resurfaced.
The missing 16-year-old's body, later identified as Laquvis McCray, was recovered in the water around 3:30 p.m., NBC affiliate WSAV reported. The news outlet said officials confirmed the cause of death was a drowning.
The statement on Facebook from Tybee Island's police department said "this is not the outcome that our team, or any of those who assisted in the search, so desperately hoped for."
"While this event is a tragedy, we would like to thank the members of the Tybee Island Lifeguards, United States Coast Guard, Department of Natural Resources, Chatham County Marine Patrol, Chatham County Dive Team, and Marine Rescue Squadron for working tirelessly to bring closure to the victim’s family," the statement reads. "The hearts of the Tybee Island Police Department, and the entire City of Tybee Island, remain with them during this difficult time."