EAGLE LAKE, Fla. — A kayaker who went missing on Lake McLeod was found dead by Polk County marine unit deputies Sunday morning.
Aaron Tillman, 18, was found at about 5:12 a.m. Monday in an area of the lake that was about 13 feet deep, according to a news release. He went missing around 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Tillman was reportedly kayaking with a 19-year-old woman before he somehow ended up outside of the kayak in the water.
Tillman and the woman were not wearing floating vests, the sheriff's office said. Family members reportedly told deputies that Tillman can't swim and has never been on a kayak before.
The woman told the sheriff's office she jumped into the water from the kayak to swim, but when she resurfaced, she saw Tillman struggling to stay afloat, according to deputies. Despite her efforts, the 18-year-old disappeared into the water.
The woman reportedly told deputies she didn't know if Tillman willingly jumped in or fell out of the kayak.
"We have had several boats from the Polk County Sheriff's Office, FWC, and Polk County Fire Rescue looking for this young man, and we will remain on scene until he is found," Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd stated in the release. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Tillman's family and friends, and we are going to look for him like he was one of our own relatives."
Tillman was a student at Ambassadors Christian Academy of Winter Haven and a member of the football and wrestling teams.