DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The body of a missing swimmer was discovered Monday morning on Daytona Beach.
The body of Damian Parks, a 22-year-old Bethune-Cookman University student, was found north of the Main Street Pier, beach safety officials said.
Officials said Parks went swimming with some friends near Sun Splash Park in Daytona Beach early Sunday. Within minutes, Parks started yelling for help and went underwater, officials said.
Crews spent hours searching for Parks but couldn't locate him.
Parks' body was found about a mile from where he was reported missing.
B-CU released a statement on Monday morning, asking for prayers for Park's mother, family and friends.
"This is a sad moment for our university. We never want to hear of students losing their lives. I grieve not only as the president of B-CU, but more importantly as a parent. My condolences go out to Damian's mother and his family," President Edison O. Jackson said in a release.
B-CU offered grief counseling and a prayer circle Monday morning.
On Tuesday, the university released a statement saying the B-CU Department of Public Safety is working with the Daytona Beach Police Department as it investigates the circumstances surrounding Parks' death.
"The university continues to support and pray for Parks' family and loved ones," the university said in a statement.