MACON, Ga. — The body of the 20-year-old swimmer who went missing at Amerson River Park has been found.
According to Bibb County Deputy Coroner Ronnie Miley, Raymund Ellison was found dead just after 2 p.m. Tuesday.
Ellison went underwater Sunday evening at around 5:45 p.m. Witnesses said that he was floating behind them on an innertube, and when they looked away and then back, he was no longer there. The Macon-Bibb Fire Department dive team searched for Ellison Sunday and Monday, and his body was found Tuesday.
Ellison's body will be sent to the GBI crime lab for autopsy this week.
According to Sgt. Bubba Stanford with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the water was only six feet deep. He says a challenge during the search was a lot of activity on the river. People were still floating down the river over the Memorial Day weekend.
Divers also struggled because of the undercurrent moving sand and rocks underneath.
Stanford reminds people that it's imperative that swimmers follow safety protocols at the river.
Ellison's family released a statement Tuesday evening, saying:
"Raymund Ellison was a very energetic, kind, sweet, loving young man. He spent a lot of time working at Kroger, and anytime he could get with family and friends. He was very funny and outgoing. He was very loved and very much appreciated."
If you would like to donate to the family, you can visit their GoFundMe page.