Fernandina Beach Police Department
Press Release
Submitted by Deputy Chief Mark Foxworth
May 24, 2014 4:34 p.m.
On May 23, 2014 at approximately 9:45pm members of the Fernandina Beach Police Department and the Fernandina Beach Fire/Rescue responded to reports of a swimmer in distress on the north end of Fernandina Beach.
Officers spoke to several witnesses who saw the swimmer in the water and feared she may be in distress. The investigation determined that an adult female was swimming with friends when she was observed further out than the rest of the group. She appeared to be in distress and efforts to reach her failed.
Upon arrival of public safety a search began immediately with assistance from the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit, the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department Marine Unit and the United States Coast Guard. Searches of various levels continued through the night.
On May 24, 2014 at approximately 11:00am, a fisherman saw what he believed to be a body at the north end of Fernandina Beach near the Jetties. The Fernandina Beach Police Department and the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit responded and recovered the remains of a female who is believed at this time to be the same person who was reported missing.
The release of the victim’s name is pending notification of the next of kin.