Missing Swimmer At Jersey Shore Now Feared Dead

A swimmer at the Jersey Shore is now feared dead after he went missing for more than 24 hours, according to the Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard suspended its search for a missing swimmer off Bradley Beach at 7:55 p.m. Sunday.

The multi-agency search efforts covered 248 square miles and involved the Bradley Police Department, Belmar Water Rescue Team and the New Jersey State Police.

The Coast Guard began its search for the 31-year-old man when it was notified of a swimmer who was swept out to sea in a rip tide at about 7 p.m. Saturday, according to the Coast Guard.

The man has been identified as Julio Pierre, 31, a recent Haitian immigrant who had traveled to Bradley Beach with friends. He was last seen in the ocean near the Brinley Avenue jetty around 7 p.m., Bradley Beach Police Chief Leonard Guida told nj.com.

“Our hearts go out to the friends, families, and loved ones who are impacted by this tragic event" said Capt. Scott Anderson, deputy sector commander, Sector Delaware Bay. “Coast Guard crews and our partner agencies worked together to search for this individual and it’s never an easy decision to stop searching."

Watchstanders from Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay launched a 29-foot response boat-small rescue crew from Station Manasquan Inlet and Station Shark River, as well as an MH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter crew to aid the state and local agencies in their search.

Crews searched throughout the evening and continued until the search was suspended Sunday evening.

Coast Guard units involved in the search were the 87-foot cutters Bonito and Crocodile, as well as air assets from Air Station Atlantic City and response crews from Station Shark River and Manasquan Inlet. Partner agencies involved were the New Jersey State Police, Bradley Police Department and Belmar Water Rescue Team.