UPDATE: We regret to share that the body of 24-year-old Everliz Valentina Vega Medina has been found. Annette Gutierrez shared the news on the Morning Edition. We spoke with Medina’s family Sunday and are keeping them in our thoughts.
EARLIER –
SARASOTA, FL (SNN) Sarasota Police Department continues their search for a missing woman off Lido Beach.
The family of 24-year-old Everliz Valentina Vega Medina is asking for the public’s help. Their daughter has been missing since 8pm last night and they are doing everything they can to find her.
“I need my daughter, please” Medina’s mother said in Spanish.
Medina and her friend were swimming off South Lido Beach Saturday night when a current pulled them out to sea.
“One of the friends was able to make it back to shore and unfortunately the 24-year-old woman was unable to. Ever since we were dispatched around 9 o’clock [Saturday] night, Sarasota police officers have worked diligently overnight and we’ve also called in additional resources form the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office as well as the U.S. Coast Guard and Florida Fish and Wildlife to help us continue our search for this woman,” said Genevieve Judge, spokesperson for Sarasota Police Department.
With still no sign of their daughter, the family is begging for the public’s help.
“Time is crucial for us. We need help with all the public around the beach. If they see or find anything to call the police because we are searching for her too,” said Marina McCusker, Medina’s aunt.
“I need more police here. I need my daughter today. We need more help. We beg of you we need help,” said Medina’s parents.
Sarasota Police Department says to avoid swimming in the area.
“If you’re planning to come out here and you’re planning to go swimming, we encourage you to do that near a life guard and further up the beach,” said Judge.
The investigation is ongoing, but police say there are no signs of foul play.
Medina was wearing a black two piece bathing suit when she went missing and has a tattoo of black butterfly on her right collar bone.
Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or the police department at (941)-316-1199.