POLK COUNTY, Fla. – After an overnight search, crews recovered the body of a missing 18-year-old man in a Polk County lake.
Officials with Polk County Fire Rescue said that they responded to Lake McLeod in Eagle Lake around 3:20 p.m. in reference to the “drowning/water accident” call.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said they were searching for a missing Eagle Lake man. On Monday, the sheriff’s office released an update stating that Aaron Tillman was found deceased just after 5 a.m. in the lake that was about 13 feet deep.
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Deputies said Tillman and a woman were kayaking around 150 yards from the shore in 12 to 15 feet of water without personal flotation devices.
According to a news release, family members said Tillman does not know how to swim and that he has never been on a kayak before.
Deputies said the woman reported that she jumped in the water to swim, but when she resurfaced, she saw Tillman in the water “struggling to stay above water.”
According to the release, she said she was unaware if the teen fell or intentionally got into the water.
“Please continue to keep his family and friends in your prayers during this incredibly difficult time,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.
According to PCFR, five boats from nearby agencies including the FWC, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, and Winter Haven Public Safety initially helped search the lake for the man.
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