National News

Body of 13-year-old missing swimmer believed to be found

The body of a 13-year-old boy who went missing while swimming was believed to be found Sunday morning around 7:15 a.m by someone walking on the beach.

Posted Updated

By
ADRIENNE BOWERS
GLOUCESTER, VA — The body of a 13-year-old boy who went missing while swimming was believed to be found Sunday morning around 7:15 a.m by someone walking on the beach.

The Gloucester County Sheriff's Office says he was found approximately a half mile from the location where he was originally reported missing.

The body has been sent to the medical examiner's office.

Coast Guard crews responded to a report of a missing swimmer Friday evening.

Coast Guard officials initially told News 3 a 13-year-old boy and his sister (age unknown) were missing.

After some time, officials said they were swimming near Gloucester Point Beach when just the boy was reported missing.

Officials received the call at around 4:40 p.m.

Watchstanders with Sector Hampton roads issued an urgent marine information broadcast before launching a helicopter crew from Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina, and a 29-foot response boat from Station Milford Haven in Hudgins, Virginia, at approximately 5 p.m.

The Coast Guard was working with boat crews from various fire departments and sheriff's offices in the area to search for the boy.

The Coast Guard suspended the search for the teen at 11 a.m. Saturday.

"The decision to suspend a search is a difficult one to make," said Coast Guard Capt. Rick Wester, commander, Sector Hampton Roads. "Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the boy's family during this difficult time."

Copyright 2024 by Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.