The body of a 22-year-old swimmer who was reported missing Sunday was found in Daytona Beach early Monday morning, deputies said.
Damian Parks, a student at Bethune-Cookman University, was reported missing around 3 a.m. Sunday. According to a report, Parks, along with four other friends, went to the beach. Parks and another person entered the water, but Parks began to struggle.
The other swimmer was able to grab Parks for a moment before losing his grip. People along the beach, as well as the other person in the water, lost sight of Parks.
Several agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard, the Volusia County Sheriff's Office and Daytona Beach Ocean Rescue Beach Safety crews, conducted a search via air and water.
Parks' body was located in the area of the Ora Street approach just before 3 a.m. Monday, deputies said.
Bethune-Cookman released a statement Monday morning.
"This is a sad moment for our university," President Edison O. Jackson said. "We never want to hear of a student losing their lives. I grieve not only as the president of B-CU, but more importantly as a parent. My condolences go out to Damian's mother and his family."
Bethune-Cookman is offering grief counseling in the Adams Alumni Infirmary. There will also be a prayer circle at 11:15 a.m. on the campus quad.