Body of teenager who disappeared swimming off Fort Lauderdale beach recovered

The body of a teenager who disappeared while swimming off of Fort Lauderdale beach late Friday afternoon has been recovered after an hours-long search, police said.

Police were called just before 5 p.m. to the water near the 800 block of Seabreeze Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale Police spokesperson Casey Liening said.

The teen was swimming in a group with at least two other people, according to U.S. Coast Guard Southeast Petty Officer First Class Diana Sherbs. Lifeguards rescued the others.

For hours into Friday evening, the Coast Guard, Fort Lauderdale Police’s Dive Team, Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue and Broward Sheriff’s Office Fire Rescue searched using fire boats, a helicopter, personal boats and first responders on the shore, according to Liening and Frank Guzman, a Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue spokesperson.

Divers with the police department found the teen’s body shortly after 8 p.m., Liening said in a news release late Friday night. The teen’s identity has not been released.

The death appears to be an accidental drowning, though FLPD will investigate, Liening said.

This is a developing story, so check back for updates. Click here to have breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox.