Body of missing 16-year-old swimmer recovered near Navarre Bridge

Search teams found the 16-year-old's body early Monday morning after an extensive overnight effort involving multiple rescue agencies from the surrounding area.
Source: Navarre Beach Fire Rescue Facebook

The body of a 16-year-old swimmer was recovered Monday morning near the Navarre Bridge after an extensive overnight search operation.

  • Daphne Search and Rescue located the teen’s body at approximately 6:10 a.m., according to Navarre Beach Fire rescue.

Multiple agencies participated in the search effort throughout the evening hours, including Navarre Beach Fire Rescue, Holly-Navarre Fire Department, and Midway Fire District. Escambia County Search and Rescue also provided critical support during the operation.

Officials confirmed the teen had been swimming with family members east of the Navarre Bridge without flotation devices when he went missing. Authorities specifically addressed rumors circulating in the community, clarifying that the teen had not fallen from a kayak or been struck by a boat as some had suggested.

The teen’s identity has not been released.

No additional details about the circumstances of the drowning were provided in the official statement.

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“My family sailed from France to New York May 1966 as my father was going to his new duty station in the Army. I was 12 years old. I have...”
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“Great Job Alex and the whole Team. They moved it up by 24 hrs to accommodate the forecasts, so kudos to you for a job well done!”
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“By now. you are aware that a "first dive" has been completed on the site of the ship and photographs taken then show the ship is indeed resting upright on...”
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“My dad was the Navigator on this ship. Gerard Petroni. This makes my heart warm. Thank you!!”
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“I sailed on this grand old ship from LeHarve to New York in 1954 when I was 10 years old. It was very exciting and has been a memory I...”
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“I agree. More than symbolic? Allowing for our name sake to be abandoned to the depths? Prophetic really.”
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“Kind of ironic that the United States sank.”
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“Great ‘photo delivering the good news that the liner is lying upright.”
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“Has a source been identified?”
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