Three families are mourning the loss of young fathers who drowned Friday night while vacationing in Florida. The swimmers were caught up in a rip current tide in the Gulf of Mexico and even though they were individually rescued, they ultimately died at the hospitals they were transported to.
The victims were identified by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office as 24-year-old Jemonda Ray, 24-year-old Marius Richardson and 25-year-old Harold Denzel Hunter.
Ray, Richardson and Hunter were all visiting Panama City Beach from Birmingham, Alabama.
“All three of the distressed swimmers have been located and all three have passed at local hospitals. It is with profound sadness that we announce all three young men that entered the water around 8PM today and became distressed have passed away,” read a June 21 statement from the Bay County Sheriff’s Office.
Members of the victims’ families opened up to news station WAFB about the tragic losses. “We didn’t want this outcome to be the outcome, but I’m just glad that they’re not lost at sea,” said Jayla Ray, sister of Jemonda Ray.
“Deep down inside, he had a heart of gold. He had a heart of gold. He would do whatever for the people he loved — for anybody, honestly. I hate his life was taken so soon. He didn’t really get to see life for what it was,” Jayla continued.
She also explained that Ray and Richardson were cousins. “Mars and Monda — they were inseparable. They literally did everything together ... started from when we were young. They were the best of friends. You would think they were brothers, but in reality, they were cousins,” said Jayla stated.
According to FOX Weather, at least six people have drowned at Panama City Beach within a two-day span.