The body of a 23-year-old Atlanta man who drowned while trying to rescue a friend was recovered Tuesday afternoon in Newport, R.I.

Crews had been searching for Nicholas Napolitano since Sunday afternoon.

Napolitano jumped in to rescue Gregory Minetti, who was pulled out by the surf around 1 p.m. Sunday at Brenton Park, according to various media reports. A third man called 911 from the shore.

Minetti, of New York, was rescued and transported to the hospital, where he was treated and released. But Napolitano, who attended The Westminster Schools, never re-surfaced.

"It appears to be just young adults who decided to have a day of fun just jumping in the water, and it's turned tragic," Rhode Island Environmental Police Lt. Ed Cabral told a local television station.

A Coast Guard team, as well as state and local rescuers, were involved in the search for Napolitano. The area where the men were Sunday is not a designated swimming area.

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The city of Brookhaven's mayor and City Council last week decided to remove the colored panes of glass from the dome of Brookhaven's new City Centre after residents objected to the brightness of the colors, seen here Friday, June 27, 2025. (Reed Williams/AJC)

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