Missing teen’s body recovered on Tybee Island

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) – A teenager who went missing in the Back River Friday morning has been found deceased.

Just before 11 a.m. on Friday, Tybee Island emergency personnel responded to the area near the Inlet Avenue beach access to a report of swimmers in distress.

Upon speaking with witnesses, Tybee Island police officers learned that two 16-year-olds had been in the water when their family noticed that they appeared to be in distress.

One family member, with the help of beachgoers, was able to rescue one of the teens. The other teen was last seen disappearing under the water and did not resurface.

“I saw the young man’s arms go down one last time, and I was able to grab hold of the sister, I’m not sure who she was, and a gentleman back here helped pull her in,” said an emotional Gary B.

Around 3:30 p.m., officials confirmed the missing teen’s body had been located.

Officials also confirmed this was a drowning.

The teen’s identity has not been released at this time.

A statement from the city reads, in part:

This is not the outcome that our team, or any of those who assisted in the search, so desperately hoped for.

While this event is a tragedy, we would like to thank the members of the Tybee Island Lifeguards, United States Coast Guard, Department of Natural Resources, Chatham County Marine Patrol, Chatham County Dive Team, and Marine Rescue Squadron for working tirelessly to bring closure to the victim’s family.

The hearts of the Tybee Island Police Department, and the entire City of Tybee Island, remain with them during this difficult time.