Body of swimmer found in Congaree River identified

LEXINGTON COUNTY, S.C. (WIS) - The Lexington County Coroner has identified the suspected drowning victim recovered from the Congaree River.

Javion Cannon, 17, of Columbia was recovered from the water and pronounced dead at the scene

Officials with the Cayce Department of Public Safety found Cannon’s body Wednesday after he was reported missing.

Sergeant First Class Evan Antley said Cannon went missing at about 6 p.m. near the Thomas Newman Public Boat Landing.

Investigators say the teen stood on rocks and jumped off. The teen then went under the water but did not resurface. They say he drowned.

His body was found around 9 p.m.

RCSD’s dive team, the S.C. Department of Natural Resources, the Columbia Fire Department and the Cayce Public Safety Department assisted with the search.

Cayce Department of Public Safety also says they rescued a second swimmer from the same spot the original victim was last seen. This individual fell off his tube and was trying to swim out of the current.

The Cayce Department of Public Safety has taken over the investigation.

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