VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — On Tuesday morning, police identified the body recovered from the ocean Monday evening as one of the swimmers who went missing Saturday: 22-year-old Sergio Olcot Ajbal, of Chesapeake.
Virginia Beach Police said a second body was found at the Oceanfront early Tuesday, just before 4:30 a.m., and added they're working on identification.
A third swimmer washed ashore near 16th Street Saturday evening after the initial rescue call about the three swimmers who were reportedly struggling in the water. That person was taken to a local hospital and remains in critical condition, police said Tuesday.
"Honestly, we never thought this could happen," Marco Antonio Olcot told 13News Now. He spoke to us from Guatemala through a translator. He's the cousin of Ajbal and the hospitalized person, who Olcot identified as 25-year-old Saints Ishmael Olcot.
After the initial rescue mission was not successful overnight Saturday, Virginia Beach Police took over marine operations from Virginia Beach EMS Sunday morning, switching to a recovery mission. However, crews suspended operations Sunday.
"The news was shared with me that the sea took them. From that moment I felt tremendous pain," said Olcot. He added, "They are very kind. Always smiling, always joking, joyful, respectful, hard workers. They are very kind."
Recovery efforts resumed Monday, and police released the identities of the two men who they were searching for: Ajbal and 22-year-old Sergio Xinico, who is also a resident of Chesapeake.
"I'd like to ask for prayers," Olcot said. "Especially for one of my cousins, who is fighting to survive from a coma."
He told 13News Now, the last time he saw his cousins was in Guatemala. "That's what hurts me the most," Olcot explained. "The last time I saw my cousins was back home in Guatemala, when we said our goodbyes. That was the last time we gave them a hug."