Missing swimmer in St. Johns County identified as Jacksonville man

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — Officials on Monday identified the swimmer who disappeared in St. Johns County over the weekend.

The St. Johns County Fire Rescue Department said a body was found Monday morning in the surf, about a mile from the search for a missing swimmer in St. Johns County.

Crews were searching the area near Guana River State Park in St. Johns County on Sunday after 29-year-old Robert Hickson of Jacksonville went into the water to help a family member who was in trouble. The man reportedly got caught in a rip current.

Officials haven't identified the body. However, the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office believes that the body is that of a missing swimmer.

The body will be taken to the Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy and a positive ID. The investigation is ongoing.

SJCFR said lifeguards don’t patrol the area of the beach because it’s a state park beach. The incident occurred after hours, so lifeguards on the closest county beach were off duty when it happened. Fully staffed lifeguard stations begin after Memorial weekend and rescuers will be on shift from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“We should always, if you can, swim near a lifeguard that’s always our message. Again, always know the condition of the water you’re swimming in by watching the weather report. (Sunday), we did have relatively calm conditions, so we are not sure if there was a specific rip current that may have caused this," said SJCFR Jeremy Robshaw.

Action News Jax reporter Kaitlyn Chana is following the story. Watch CBS47 Action News Jax and follow her on Twitter @KaitlynANjax for the latest developments.

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