Police ID man who drowned in Fort Lauderdale’s New River

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Police identified a man Tuesday who they said drowned in Fort Lauderdale’s New River over the weekend.

According to Fort Lauderdale police, officers responded to a call around 2:40 a.m. Saturday near Las Olas Boulevard and the Wharf after receiving reports of a man in the water calling for help.

A FLPD spokesperson confirmed that several witnesses saw the man struggling, including a good Samaritan who jumped in to attempt a rescue.

However, the rescuer lost sight of the man, 21-year-old Malik S. Jones, of Miramar, before he disappeared beneath the surface and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to investigators.

FLPD said divers concluded their search and rescue efforts around 5:30 a.m., and recovered Jones’ body.

Authorities also confirmed that they will conduct a death investigation.

No other details about the incident were immediately released.


About the Author
Ryan Mackey headshot

Ryan Mackey is a Digital Journalist at WPLG. He was born in Long Island, New York, and has lived in Sunrise, Florida since 1994.

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