A fun day at the beach turned into a family’s worst nightmare.
A 20-year-old college student has been missing since Monday evening in Ocean City, New Jersey — and authorities have now shifted from a search to a recovery mission.
What Happened?
The young man was last seen around 5 p.m. Monday, on a boogie board near 10th Street and the Boardwalk.
According to the Coast Guard, he and a friend were riding boogie boards roughly 200 feet from shore when he disappeared. Ocean City Beach Rescue was able to save his friend — but he was never found.
Just Home From College
His father revealed the heartbreaking detail — his son had just returned home from Hofstra University over the weekend.
He had come to Ocean City for the day with high school friends, looking forward to the holiday weekend.
“Please keep our family in your prayers,” his father said.
Search Efforts
For four days, multiple agencies worked tirelessly to find him — including the Ocean City Fire Department, Beach Patrol, Police Department, and the Coast Guard.
On Thursday, the Ocean City Police Department announced the transition to a recovery mission, thanking all agencies involved for their efforts.
A Warning This Memorial Day Weekend
As millions head to beaches this holiday weekend, experts are urging one simple rule:
Only swim when lifeguards are on duty.
This tragedy serves as a painful reminder of how quickly conditions at sea can change — even for strong swimmers.
Our thoughts are with the family during this incredibly difficult time.
