Missing Swimmer’s Body Found Off Longboat Key: Sarasota Police

SARASOTA, FL — The body of a Venezuelan woman who went missing while swimming Saturday evening was found off the shore of Longboat Key Sunday just before 9 p.m., according to a Sarasota police news release.

Everliz Valentina Vega Medina, 24, went swimming off South Lido Beach with a friend on Saturday between 7:30 and 8 p.m. While her friend made it back to shore, Medina did not.

Her family has been notified of her death. Calling the news “heartbreaking,” police said they don’t believe foul play was involved.

Sarasota police and the U.S. Coast Guard were dispatched to search for Medina just after 10 p.m. Saturday and looked for her overnight. The search continued Sunday, but was suspended around 7 p.m.

First responders searched for her on shore, in the air by helicopter, by boat and in the water by law enforcement dive team members, police said. Other law enforcement agencies assisted with the search as well, including Sarasota County Emergency Services, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission.