Body Of Missing Swimmer Recovered From Potomac River: MCFRS

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — The body of 20-year-old Towson University student Nazir Bell was recovered Tuesday from the Potomac River.

A search for Bell had been ongoing since Sunday evening, when first responders were dispatched for reports of a young man who had disappeared while swimming with friends in the Potomac River near Great Falls.

"Throughout the operation, family members remained nearby, holding vigil and awaiting word from responders," said Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson Pete Piringer. "Our thoughts are with the family."

Related: Missing Swimmer ID'd As Potomac River Search Goes Into Day Three

Bell had graduated from Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School and was a student at Towson University, where he was studying economics. Bell's family had described him to NBC4 as someone who loved reading and learning new languages, among other interests.

"Nazir was a great son, a great young man, rising senior at Towson, great grades, just overall a great kid,” Jamal Smith, Bell's father, told the outlet. “You couldn’t ask for a better son.”

The three-day search for Bell saw the participation of dozens of first responders, all conducting searches by land, air and boat.

Officials had said that Bell had been attempting to swim to the Virginia side of the Potomac River when he'd disappeared, shortly after shouting out for help.

The case has prompted the MCFRS to reiterate to the public that swimming in the waterway is prohibited. While the water may appear to be calm, currents can quickly change in the Potomac River.