The body of a 15-year-old swimmer who went missing in Huntington Beach last month has been found.
The body was seen this week floating in the water near lifeguard tower 3, about two miles from where the teen was last seen.
The swimmer, identified by friends and family as Aayan Randhawa, who was reportedly a sophomore at Huntington Beach High School, went missing July 28 around 9 p.m. after entering the water with a friend near lifeguard tower 11.
Agencies including the Coast Guard, Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Los Angeles Harbor Police and California State Parks joined forces in a massive search operation that lasted more than 19 hours and spanned 105 square miles. Divers from the Huntington Beach Fire Department’s Marine Safety Division worked alongside a vessel with sonar scanning capabilities, while the Coast Guard deployed a cutter and response boats, and helicopters searched from above.
That day, authorities noticed strong rip currents in the area and waves up to 5 feet high.
Although the official search was called off more than a week ago, local rescuers and first responders continued the search until the body was discovered on Monday.
“Despite the U.S. Coast Guard suspending search efforts, our crews continued to use available resources,” the city’s Fire Department said in a statement. “Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of the young swimmer during this incredibly difficult time.”
More than 100 friends, family and classmates gathered last week for a candlelight vigil at the Huntington Beach Pier, where Aayan's mother, Sana Randhawa, shared memories of her youngest son.
“He was the star of our family,” she told the Daily Pilot. “He was always happy and he loved coming to the beach all the time. That was his favorite place.”
