Missing swimmer found dead on Madeira Beach

A swimmer who went missing near John’s Pass in Madeira Beach on Monday was found dead Tuesday morning, Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputies said.

At about 6 a.m. Tuesday, a passerby found the swimmer dead on the shore near the 14900 block of Gulf Boulevard, about a mile and a half north of John’s Pass. Deputies identified him as Hector Colon, 31.

Deputies had responded just after 6 p.m. Monday to a water rescue call after reports of a swimmer in distress.

Sheriff’s officials learned that Colon had been in the water with his roommate, Angel Nunez, 34, when they felt the current get stronger. Nunez swam backward to stay afloat. Colon yelled for help, then disappeared under the water, deputies said.

A beachgoer called 911 and the sheriff’s office’s marine unit, flight unit and dive team responded. The U.S. Coast Guard and fire departments from Treasure Island, Madeira Beach and Seminole also helped with the search, which lasted into the night.