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Body washes ashore in New Smyrna Beach hours after swimmer disappears

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. — A body washed ashore in New Smyrna Beach Sunday night several hours after a swimmer disappeared, authorities said.

Authorities said they believe the victim is Debrice Dzoyem, 25, of Philadelphia, who was reported missing around 12:30 p.m. Sunday.

Officials said the man was out in the water swimming with a friend when two lifeguards spotted them struggling in the water. Dzoyem was trying to assist his friend when he got caught in a rip current.

A woman was brought safely to shore, but the man was nowhere to be found.

A search by sea and air was conducted by Volusia County Beach Safety, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Coast Guard.

They said the case is unusual because the conditions on the water were not that dangerous Sunday.

"The water was pretty flat today. It's kind of unusual because the current wasn't bad. He was probably on the edge of the sandbar and stepped back," said Capt. Ben Whetstine of the Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue.

The name of the rescued woman was not released.