Body found at Rockaway Beach likely belongs to missing swimmer, according to police authorities.
A man’s body, discovered early Sunday morning on Rockaway Beach, is believed to belong to a swimmer who went missing two weeks prior under similar circumstances. Authorities reported that the deceased was found floating in the water near Beach 97th Street and Shore Front Parkway at approximately 5:45 a.m. The body was brought to shore by a passerby, and officials are currently pending an official identification, as the face of the victim displayed significant decomposition.
Officials suspect that the deceased could be the individual who disappeared during a late-night swim on July 12. The 37-year-old man entered the water with a friend around 11:20 p.m. but did not resurface. His friend successfully made it back to shore and subsequently reported the man missing to authorities.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) initiated a search operation within an hour of the incident, deploying divers into the water in hopes of locating the missing swimmer. Despite their efforts, which continued into the night and resumed on Sunday, the search yielded no results initially. As time passed without any sign of the man, the search operation was ultimately called off, with hopes of recovery remaining unfulfilled until the recent discovery of the body.
The victim’s identity will not be publicly disclosed until confirmation can be made through official means. Local authorities emphasized the importance of safety at beaches. They noted that swimming is prohibited at city beaches outside of designated hours, specifically from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the summer months when lifeguards are on duty.
This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers associated with swimming at unsupervised times and reinforces the importance of adhering to safety regulations along the coast. The investigation continues as officials await further updates on the identification of the body and the circumstances surrounding the man’s disappearance.
As this story develops, more information is anticipated from Local law enforcement agencies and rescue officials in the coming days.
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