A body found Monday morning along a beach in Margate, New Jersey, has been identified as a missing swimmer who disappeared in the ocean off the Atlantic City coast last week, the county coroner said.
Kaliyah 'Kiki' Hand drowned after getting caught in the rip current off the Martin Luther King Boulevard beach Thursday night. Hand's friend, 15-year-old Ramon Quinn, tried to rescue her, but was also pulled under water by the strong current and disappeared, police said. Quinn remains missing.
"Our prayers go out to the families that have lost two wonderful children," Guardian said at a Friday morning news conference on the boardwalk.
On Monday, police announced that a Margate officer found Hand's body washed up on the Jefferson Avenue beach, about 5 miles from where the Atlantic City High School student went missing.
Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian said the teens entered the water after lifeguards had gone home for the day.
Atlantic City Beach Patrol said they received a call around 6:30 p.m. Thursday reporting two swimmers struggling in the ocean. First responders arrived within two minutes and found no signs of the teens.
Search crews used jet skis and others waded near some rocks as they swept the area for the teens. The Coast Guard officially called off its search midday Friday.
"We would like to extend our sympathies to the families and loved ones affected during this very difficult time," said Capt. Benjamin Cooper, the Coast Guard Commander of Sector Delaware Bay.
