Updated 9:00 am 7-30

Authorities have recovered the body of a Suwannee County woman who went missing two days ago while swimming in the Suwannee River.

For some reason, some residents say they thought that 20-year-old Heather Lawrence's disappearance in the Suwannee River on Tuesday was a hoax.

But things became all too real when authorities recovered her body Thursday morning, especially for those who knew and loved her.

Family friend Nick Reid said, "Beautiful, all sopped up in one word, beautiful all the way around."

Family friends say 20-year-old Heather Lawrence would fill her parents auto collision shop with so much life.

But, Lawrence's' life was taken when she drowned in the Suwannee River.

Family friend Michael Jankowski said, "It's just a shame. She was a wonderful person. She helped out around here a lot. It's really hard to believe that any of this is even happening."

After more than 22 total hours of searching at Little River Springs near her hometown of Branford, Florida in Suwannee County, authorities say they recovered her body around 8:00 Thursday morning.

Dive teams had been searching for Lawrence since Tuesday night.

Rescuers say Lawrence's friend told authorities that he and Lawrence were swimming less than ten feet away from the river bank and reported that when he got out of the river, he saw Lawrence go under the water, come back up, then go under for a last time.

Reid said, "I watched her grow up to a very beautiful, personable young lady. To have all this happen. I got a heavy heart right now."

Authorities say they found Lawrence's body floating in the middle of the river about a mile downstream from where she was last seen.

Branford resident Sandra Gamel said, "I can't begin to imagine; losing a child in any way is sad in itself is just unbelievable."

Authorities say it's still unknown exactly what led to Lawrence drowning, but a standard autopsy is being performed.

No word yet on funeral arrangements.

Some residents who say they go to Little Rive Springs all of the time and they say that area is pretty shallow. But, say there are parts that dip very deep.

But, again, we don't know if that could have contributed to Lawrence drowning.

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Updated 10:47am 7-29

Authorities have released the name of the woman who drowned in Suwanee County.

Officials say 20 year-old Heather Lawrence was from Branford, FL.

They discovered her body around 8am Thursday morning floating in the Suwannee River about a mile down from where she was last seen.
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Updated 9:55am 7/29

Authorities say they've found the body of the 20-year-old woman who vanished while swimming with a friend in Suwannee County.

Authorities say her body was found around 8:00 Thursday morning.

Search crews had been looking for the woman since Tuesday evening.

Authorities have yet to release the woman's identity.

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Updated 6:30pm 7/28

Another person may have drowned in our area. This time it's in Suwannee County.

Rescuers have been out since Tuesday night searching for a woman who disappeared while on an afternoon swim.

Authorities will not give the woman's name, yet, but, say the 20-year-old disappeared in the waters at Little River Springs.

Search crews from Jacksonville arrived Wednesday afternoon, and Suwannee County authorities hope their extra equipment and manpower will help them find this missing swimmer.

The calm Little River Springs in Suwannee County became a little less peaceful late Tuesday afternoon when a panicked 911 call came through.

Deputies say a young man said his friend had disappeared under the water.

Authorities are not releasing the woman's name.

But, search and dive teams immediately began a grid search using sonar technology to look for the 20-year-old swimmer.

Chief Deputy Ron Colvin said, "It's a picture, but it takes it to the left of you, to the right of you and down below. It shows us in detail what's in the bottom of the river."

Deputies say the woman's friend says he and the woman were swimming eight to ten feet away from the bank of the river in about ten feet of water. The man reported that he returned to the bank, but the woman continued swimming.

He told authorities that he saw the woman go under water, come back up, and go under again.

About 16 rescuers from Suwannee and Columbia counties searched until 2 a.m. Wednesday and returned at 7 a.m.

They were joined by another dozen or so crew members, along with community volunteers.

Suwannee County resident Frank Gain says he's volunteering in any way that he can.

Gain said, "I raised four girls myself and my heart goes out to them. That goes without saying. But, if I'm here to kind of ease the burden, then I'll do that."

Authorities say many drownings occur along the Suwannee River because swimmers panic and try to swim across a current instead of with the current.

But, deputies say there is no way at this time to tell if that's what happened in this case.

Chief Deputy Colvin says they'll most likely be working late into the night, and say if they don't find the woman by Thursday morning, they will send out airboaters to go up and down the Suwannee River.

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For the fourth time this month tragedy strikes on the water.

Search crews are looking for the body of a Suwanee County woman who they believe may have drowned.

Folks are out looking for a 20-year-old woman who went missing while swimming at Little River Springs.

At this time the identity of the woman has not been released.

Search crews were out last night searching for her without success.

This tragedy comes just days after a Tifton county teen lost his life on the Withlacoochie River.

The body of 18-year-old Devon Smith was found yesterday morning after he drowned while swimming with friends.