The head found on South Florida Beach on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, reportedly belongs to a missing swimmer Victor Castaneda Jr. The 19-year-old boy was last seen going into the ocean at South Point Beach in the early evening of Saturday, November 9, 2024.
Victor Castaneda disappeared into the ocean after trying to save his younger sister, Hailey Clements (17) from a rip current off South Pointe Beach on November 9, 2024.
According to multiple reports, Castenada reportedly rescued his sister from drowning before he disappeared into the ocean, triggering a three-day search effort that tragically ended after a beach worker in Key Biscayne stumbled upon the victim’s head that had washed ashore On November 12.
On Friday, November 15, Miami-Dade County police confirmed that remains found on Key Biscayne beach were of the missing swimmer.
Victor Castaneda graduated from Somerset Academy Charter High School
In the wake of the tragic incident, a GoFundMe campaign was initiated by a community member to render financial assistance to the grieving family. The campaign, which has raised over $30,000, was created with a goal to amass $50,000. The fundraiser said:
"Your support will help Victor’s family heal, knowing how much he was loved and cared for. It will also help with funeral and burial services. Even in his absence, Victor continues to protect and serve his family. Any contribution helps, and all funds will go directly to Victor’s family during this difficult time."
The fundraiser noted even before the tragic incident claimed his life, "Victor was a hero in every sense." The 19-year-old was reportedly intending to join the army "to provide a home for his family."
Victor Castenada Jr, described as a hero by community members, graduated from Somerset Academy Charter High School in Princeton, south Miami-Dade, Miami Herald reported.
The publication said Victor was one of eight children. Nearly a week after Victor’s remains washed ashore, the teen’s family and community members gathered at South Pointe in Miami Beach on Saturday, November 16 afternoon, to mourn the devastating loss of a heroic young boy who died saving his sister.
During the ceremony a visibly upset Hailey, 17, paid tribute to her brother saying:
“Victor was a loving guy, a sweet guy. Ever since I was little, Victor always told me he would protect me and he died protecting me. He’s my everything, he’s my other half. I’ll never stop missing you,” Via Miami Herald
Meanwhile, in an Instagram tribute, Victor Castaneda’s other older sister, Chloe, characterized her brother as an innately kind person who was the “the best part of this family.” She noted:
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“A hero — life has a way of taking the best people. There was a time when he was all that kept this family going. Pure, genuine, so full of life.”
As police continued to investigate the case, the Miami Herald reported that no foul play was suspected in Victor Castaneda’s death.
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