Body of missing swimmer found

May 3, 2017

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Fla. (WCTV) -- The Franklin County Sheriff's Office reports the body of missing swimmer Bruce Maynor Jr. has been located.

The Sheriff's Office made the following announcement on their Facebook page:

"A few minutes ago the body of hero Bruce Maynor Jr. was recovered. The Franklin County Sheriffs Office wishes to thank all the first responders and volunteers who assisted in the search. Our hearts are heavy but thankful the search is over. Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers."

Maynor, 29, went missing on Sunday after he jumped into the water off of St. George Island to save his 12-year-old godson from drowning.

Maynor handed the child off to someone else before he was pulled under the waves.

The Franklin County Sheriff's Office conducted an extensive search for the Cairo, Georgia native, utilizing helicopters, boats, trucks, and even jet skis to look for Maynor over the past four days.

May 2, 2017

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Fla. (WCTV) -- The intensive search for 29-year-old Bruce Maynor of Cairo, Ga. resumed Tuesday.

Maynor swam out in the water at St. George Island Sunday afternoon to rescue his 12-year-old Godson from drowning. Maynor disappeared underwater. The child is safe.

Tuesday's search went well as far as having better weather to be able to do much more than Monday. However, through searching from the water, the air, and the sand, there's still no sign of Maynor, known as B.J.

Franklin County Sheriff AJ Smith says there were about a half dozen boats out on the water Tuesday. Some were from local residents who were pitching in by going out on their private boats.

There were also at least two different airplanes flying by, as well as two different helicopters. The choppers mainly hovering the waters near the lighthouse where Maynor jumped in to save his 12-year-old Godson.

Jet skis and a drone were also used.

Angela Smith, Maynor's mother, said, "I don't want it to be over until they find him. When he's found then we can have peace, we can have closure. We'll be comforted. We'll have peace of mind to go on with our lives and accept this. But, right now, we're still hurting. Our family is hurting."

Authorities also used their resources on land. Deputies in trucks continued again today driving along the beach scouring the area from there. The Florida Fish and Wildlife also had an officer searching from a four-wheeler.

May 2, 2017

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Fla. (WCTV) -- The search for a missing swimmer off the coast of St. George Island has now entered day three.

The Franklin County Sheriff's Office says Bruce Maynor, Jr., 29, went missing in the waves on Sunday after he jumped into the water to save his 12-year-old godson from drowning.

Maynor handed the child off to someone else before he was pulled under the water.

The Sheriff's Office was back out on the beach early Tuesday, continuing to look for any sign of Maynor.

We will bring you any updates on the search as they become available.

May 1, 2017

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Fla. (WCTV) -- Family have been out on the beach for the past two days as authorities conduct the search for 29-year-old Bruce Maynor.

"He gave his life for a life. He was a hero," said Maynor's mother, Angela Smith.

Willie Stinson says it wasn't until after Maynor was able rescue a 12-year-old boy that trouble began for Maynor.

Stinson said, "He was hollering brother-in-law come here, come here. I was hollering back, brother-in-law I can't make it, I can't make it. The tide is too big. He was like, come on brother-in-law, come here, come here, come here. By the time I said, I can't, again, six guys ran and jumped in the water."

The men were not able to save Maynor.

Smith said, "It's just a hurting thing for to see a good man like my son was just gone. It hurts. It just really hurts."

Family members say the 12-year-old is doing fine. They say he is Maynor's godson.

May 1, 2017

FRANKLIN COUNTY. Fla. (WCTV) -- The Franklin County Sheriff has identified the swimmer missing in the waters off of St. George Island as Bruce Maynor, Jr., 29.

The Sheriff says Maynor was at the beach with his family Sunday when he jumped into the water to save a 12-year-old child.

Maynor handed the child off to someone else before he was pulled under the water.

Officials tell WCTV that Maynor is from Cairo and is a loving husband and father.

The Franklin County Sheriff's Office, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation and Bay County officials are aiding in the search.

At this time, search crews tell WCTV they can't search with boats or helicopters due to weather conditions, but they hope to get the boats out later Monday.

Officials are warning swimmers to stay out of the water due to continuing severe surf conditions in the Gulf.

Stay with WCTV for the latest developments in the search.