17-Year-Old Swimmer William Zhang Found Dead After Disappearance During Swim Drills in Gulf of Mexico

William Zhang was a 17-year-old swimmer who was discovered dead recently. The body was found on March 6, 2024, Wednesday. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office stated in a press release that he disappeared from the Indian Shores.

Reportedly, William Zhang went missing in the wee hours of Wednesday.

He didn’t return to the shore with a group conducting swim drills in the Gulf of Mexico. Hours-long searches were conducted on his disappearance.

Finally, the recovery team did a thorough underwater search along with the deputies and found Zhang dead around 5:23 pm.

Authorities in a press release stated,

“Search efforts were conducted by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, Indian Shores Police Department, Pinellas Suncoast Fire Rescue, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), and the United States Coast Guard. At approximately 5:23 p.m. Zhang was located and pronounced deceased.”

Missing swimmer William Zhang was visiting Florida from Canada

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office’s press release statements report that at the time of the mishap, William Zhang was visiting Florida. The journey started with his swim team from Quebec, Canada for a camp.

On Wednesday morning, several other swim team members along with Zhang were at the Gulf of Mexico and conducted the swimming drills. As per WKMG, Shortly after 9 am, when the team realized that Zhang hadn’t turned to the shore, alarms were raised.

PCSO asked the U.S. Coast Guard, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Pinellas Suncoast Fire Rescue, along the Indian Shores Police Department to search for the teenager underwater.

Authorities stated,

“Deputies assigned to the Underwater Search and Recovery Team have located the body of the missing swimmer, 17-year-old William Zhang. According to detectives.”

PCSO got to know that the swim coaches checked for any hazards or riptides before entering the water.

Jeffrey Davidson, the Pinellas Suncoast Fire Rescue Chief, told FOX 13 that on Wednesday morning rip currents were visible on the water and it was choppy. They added the condition of the water improved later.

The rescue chief, Jeffrey Davidson added,

“There was one from the group in the water. We had visuals on that person. Some other people thought they had a visual of the other person, but the seas were so rough and there were so many buoys out there, that it was hard to distinguish if it was an actual person. They were a couple of hundred yards off the coast.”

The investigators and authorities revealed that the death of 17-year-old William Zhang was not suspicious.

Moreover, the deceased’s kin was also notified of the incident.

Also Read: Watch: Old Alex Jones Video Goes Viral As Ryan Garcia Claims About Bohemian Grove