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UPDATE: Body recovered off Tybee Island; search for another continues

The body of an Atlanta man was recovered off Tybee Island. Another is missing. Both drowned, officials said.
The body of an Atlanta man was recovered off Tybee Island. Another is missing. Both drowned, officials said.
By Raisa Habersham
Aug 15, 2018

The body of one of two drowning victims from Atlanta was recovered off Tybee Island early Wednesday, officials said.

Authorities identified the victims as Montell Newton, 24, and Kiwan Benson, 31, according to multiple reports. Officials have not specified which victim is still missing.

About 7:15 p.m. Monday, officials received a 911 call about two people who were confirmed missing off a south beach sandbar, Tybee Island officials said in a news release.

MORE: Two men missing at sandbar

Multiple agencies, including the Tybee Island Fire Department, Tybee Marine Rescue Squad and the U.S. Coast Guard boat and helicopter rescue teams, searched for the men until roughly 10:30 p.m.

Teams resumed the search Tuesday morning, but suspended recovery efforts that night, officials said.

Officials found one of the victims at 10 a.m. Wednesday and are still searching for the second victim.

In other news:

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About the Author

Raisa Habersham is the Intown Atlanta hyperlocal reporter for The Atlanta-Journal Constitution.

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