LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission says both bodies of the missing boaters who never surfaced in a Tavares lake just after 5:00 Saturday evening have been found.
According to officials, 60-year-old Richard Cronister, 56-year-old Jerry Reyes, and 53-year-old Hector Reyes Jr. were on a boat in Lake Harris Friday afternoon when they stopped and decided to swim.
Hector Reyes Jr. told officials that his brother, Jerry, jumped in first and started to struggle. That's when the other two men jumped in to help, but Jerry Reyes and Cronister both went under the water and never resurfaced.
Hector Reyes Jr. said he couldn't operate the pontoon boat, so he swam 40 minutes to shore for help.
Rescue crews searched for the men by boat and helicopter into the night, but were unsuccessful. Officials said they were having a hard time locating where the men disappeared because the boat had drifted.
Just after 6:00 Sunday evening, rescue crews found the first body floating in the water, but did not immediately release any information about who it was. Around 7:45 Sunday night, the second body was located in the lake.
FWC said autopsies will be performed on Monday to determine the cause of death.
WFTV
