Updated Monday, Sept. 1, 1:30 p.m. — Authorities have recovered the body of a swimmer who went missing Sunday evening off Bean Point Beach.
The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed that 20-year-old Abhigyan Patel was last seen around 7 p.m. on Sunday, swimming about 100 yards offshore with another man. While Patel’s companion was rescued safely, Patel was swept away by a strong rip current.
After an overnight search involving multiple agencies, including the Coast Guard, Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, and West Manatee Fire Rescue, crews located a body in the Gulf waters west of Anna Maria Island on Monday, September 1. Deputies believe the recovered individual is Patel, though official identification is still pending.
The search expanded throughout Monday, utilizing boats, jet skis, paddleboards, and aerial units to cover miles of shoreline. Rescue operations shifted into recovery once evidence suggested Patel could no longer survive the conditions.
Authorities remind beachgoers to exercise extreme caution when swimming in Gulf waters, especially at locations known for their strong rip currents.
The investigation into Patel’s drowning remains ongoing.
A multi-agency search is currently underway for a swimmer who went missing off Anna Maria Island on Sunday night, authorities confirmed.
The U.S. Coast Guard stated that the swimmer disappeared around 7 p.m. on Sunday, prompting an immediate response from rescue teams.
Local authorities have since identified the missing individual as 20-year-old Abhigyan Patel. According to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office, Patel was last seen swimming with another man roughly 100 yards off Bean Point Beach. While the companion was safely rescued and brought back to shore, Patel was swept away by what appeared to be a sudden rip current.
The search has intensified as of Monday morning. In addition to U.S. Coast Guard vessels, rescue efforts now include units from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, West Manatee Fire Rescue, and aerial assets, such as helicopters. Boats, jet skis, and paddleboards have joined in covering a wide area amid mounting concern.
Authorities urgently request that anyone with information come forward. The Manatee County Sheriff's Office has provided a tip line at 866‑881‑1392 for the public to report any leads regarding Abhigyan Patel.
