MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Authorities are searching for a 19-year-old swimmer caught in rough waters while on South Beach over the weekend.
Loved ones said Victor Castaneda was with his sister, who was saved from a rip current.
For the past few days, crews have continued to search for Castaneda at sea.
His family told Local 10 News’ Roy Ramos they received new information from a Miami Beach Police Department detective Tuesday, but there is still no word on whether their loved one has been found.
Jessica Castaneda, Victor’s sister, said, “I will dream of his infectious laugh and his smile until I meet him in the next life.”
Sisters Jessica and Chloe Castaneda remained devastated after their younger brother was caught in the rip current on South Beach and never resurfaced on Saturday.
Jessica said Victor was with his younger sister Haley celebrating another friend leaving for the Navy. The three were in the water when Haley told them they began struggling to make it back to shore.
“He told her that they were going to die and at that point, he picked her up and he threw her as far as he could,” Jessica Castaneda said.
Ultimately, good Samaritans pulled Haley and their friend from the water, but Victor was lost at sea.
The disappearance prompted a search by Miami Beach and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue. Cell phone video shows crews searching well into the night.
After two days, relatives tell me a body has been found, but there is still no word if it is their younger brother.
“This family will never be the same,” Chloe Castaneda said.
As Victor’s three brothers, four sisters and parents hope for some closure, they say he will always hold a place in their hearts.
And as for those who saved Haley: “Thank you for helping my sister. Thank you for trying. Thank you,” Jessica Castaneda said.
Local 10 News has been in touch with Miami Beach Police, who said they are working jointly with investigators from other police departments and the Medical Examiner’s Office to see if Castaneda has been found.