ORLANDO, Fla. – A 15-year-old Lake Nona High School student whose body was pulled from an Orlando lake last week was identified Monday by authorities.
The medical examiner identified the boy as Antony Garcia Santana, reporting that drowning was the cause of death, which was ruled accidental.
Orlando police said dive teams last Thursday recovered Santana’s body a day after he disappeared while kayaking and paddle-boarding with some friends on Lake Whippoorwill behind the Cortland Nona apartments off Narcoossee Road, east State Road 417.
[VIDEO BELOW: Crews pull missing teen’s body from lake]
“During the activity, one individual went underwater and did not resurface. Despite an extensive search effort, the individual was not immediately located,” police said last week in a statement.
Police later confirmed that the Orange County Sheriff’s Office dive team had recovered the body of the missing teenager around 12:20 p.m. Thursday.
Orange County Public Schools Superintendent Maria Vazquez released a statement following news of the tragedy.
“I am heartbroken by the loss of one of our Lake Nona High School students who tragically died off campus Wednesday evening. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time.
“The sudden passing of a young life is an unimaginable loss, and we are committed to providing support for our students and staff as they navigate this grief.
“Counselors will be available for anyone in need of support. Please keep his loved ones and the Lake Nona High School community in your thoughts as they mourn this profound loss.”