Missing teen swimmer found dead in river, Georgia cops say. ‘He will be sorely missed’
A 17-year-old swimmer was found dead after he disappeared on a Georgia river, officials told news outlets.
Raymond Wade — a high school football player — was at the river with friends when he “became distressed and called for help,” according to WTLV. Friends reportedly tried to save Wade but couldn’t help him before he went under water on Thursday, May 5.
The Charlton County Sheriff’s Office told news outlets the teen went missing at about 5 p.m. near Traders Hill on the St. Mary’s River. The area is roughly 45 miles northwest of Jacksonville, Florida.
Crews searched the water and found the teen’s body at about 11:15 p.m., WJXT and WJAX reported.
Wade was a cornerback and wide receiver on the Charlton County High School varsity football team, according to the MaxPreps and Hudl websites. The school in Folkston — which is near the Florida border — made grief counselors available after Wade’s death.
“The teachers, administrators, and all staff members of the Charlton County School District are devastated by the news of the drowning of one of our students, Raymond Wade,” the district wrote in a statement. “Raymond was a well-liked and respected young man, and he will be sorely missed by our community.... Our prayers go out to Raymond’s family.”
The Charlton County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources didn’t immediately respond to McClatchy News’ requests for additional information on May 6.
This story was originally published May 6, 2022 at 10:54 AM with the headline "Missing teen swimmer found dead in river, Georgia cops say. ‘He will be sorely missed’."
