Police: Body of missing New Jersey swimmer washes ashore in Maryland
The swimmer was identified as Praise Ezechibueze, 21, who went missing Saturday, May 6.
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The body of a 21-year-old missing swimmer from New Jersey was found washed ashore in Maryland on Sunday.
The swimmer was identified as Praise Ezechibueze who went missing Saturday, May 6. Ocean County police say they responded to the area of 4th Street and the beach around 5:30 a.m. They say a citizen walking on the beach reported to officers that they observed a body on the beach.
The Ocean City Fire Department (OCFD) and Ocean City Police Department responded to a missing swimmer in the area of 25th Street and the beach on Saturday, police say. Rescue swimmers from the fire department began searching the area for the submerged swimmer. The Ocean City Beach Patrol also joined the search effort, along with members of the United States Coast Guard and Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP), according to police.
RELATED: 12 tips to avoid getting caught in a rip current
Ezechibueze's body was transported to the Holloway Funeral Home in Maryland.
Police remind beachgoers that Ocean City is prone to strong rip currents and say they can occur at any surf beach with breaking waves.
Ocean City Beach Patrol will return to guarding the 10 miles of beach on Memorial Day weekend.
For more information about rip current safety or about beach patrol, visit the town of Ocean City website.
