LAKE NONA, Fla. – Dive teams pulled a body from a Lake Nona lake on Thursday that Orlando police have since confirmed is a missing teenager.
Dive teams were at the lake continuing their search in connection with a possible drowning reported the day prior. The search, which began Wednesday afternoon, took place in the lake behind the Cortland Nona apartments off Narcoossee Road near State Road 417.
In a statement released Thursday afternoon, the Orlando Police Department described the initial report involving a group of six teenagers who entered the lake using kayaks and paddle boards.
“During the activity, one individual went underwater and did not resurface. Despite an extensive search effort, the individual was not immediately located,” the statement reads.
Police said that the Orange County Sheriff’s Office dive team had recovered the body of the missing teenager around 12:20 p.m. Thursday, according to the statement.
Orange County Public Schools Superintendent Maria Vazquez released the following statement following news of the teen’s death:
“I am heartbroken by the loss of one of our Lake Nona High School students who tragically died off campus Wednesday evening. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time.
The sudden passing of a young life is an unimaginable loss, and we are committed to providing support for our students and staff as they navigate this grief.
Counselors will be available for anyone in need of support. Please keep his loved ones and the Lake Nona High School community in your thoughts as they mourn this profound loss.”
Maria Vazquez