Authorities ID missing swimmer as 18-year-old Tennessee man

Authorities ID missing swimmer as 18-year-old Tennessee man

SOUTH WALTON -- A swimmer missing since 5:30 Tuesday evening has been identified as 18-year-old Yafet A. Yaseph, who was visiting with friends from Tennessee.

Read more: http://www.nwfdailynews.com/articles/swimmer-50140-missing-rescuers.html#ixzz1x21YwfY4

The search for the young man who went missing yesterday evening ended this evening, according to Captain Audie Rowell with the Walton County Sheriff's office.

The body of the young man, 18-year-old Yafet A. Yoseph, from Tennessee, was found on the shore in Seagrove Beach. Yoseph went swimming with two friends at the Savannah beach access in Seaside around 5:33 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Walton County Sheriff's Office. The two accompanying swimmers returned to shore later that evening, but the third young man did not.

The WCSO, Coast Guard, and the South Walton Fire District all participated in the search which lasted nearly 24 hours before the body was found.

Story Here

Rest in Peace, Yafet.

Dangerous surf ends life of ‘outstanding young man'

Yafet A. Yoseph will be remembered as a stellar athlete and student who always had a smile on his face.

“He was an outstanding young man,” said Alan Mealka, superintendent of the Tennessee School for the Deaf in Knoxville, where Yoseph would be a rising senior.

There, Yoseph excelled in academics along with football, track and basketball. But according to Mealka, it was his treatment of others and a ready smile which set Yoseph apart.

“He had a real affinity for the younger students,” said Mealka. “He was a role model for all students other kids really did look at him as a leader.”

Yoseph was on vacation with friends, staying in Santa Rosa Beach. Tuesday evening, he and two of his friends decided to go swimming in front of the Savannah beach access in Seaside around 5:30, according to the Walton County Sheriff's Office. The two accompanying swimmers returned to shore later that evening, Yoseph did not.

Red flags were flying at the time of the incident. The flags had been changed from yellow earlier in the day as the conditions became more dangerous.

Story Here