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Officials searching for 20-year-old missing swimmer in St. Johns County

By Nora Clark and Action News Jax
By Nora Clark and Action News Jax

UPDATE (May 18): St. Johns County deputies confirmed Thursday that a body found in Vilano Beach Wednesday is the one of Skyler Christian Taylor, the Jacksonville swimmer reported missing last Sunday.

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Original story:

Search efforts resumed Monday morning for a missing local swimmer off Vilano Beach in St. Johns County.

Authorities identified the missing swimmer as Skyler Christian Taylor, 20, from Jacksonville.

Action News Jax reporter Cole Heath spoke with officials Monday as search efforts continued at 5:30 a.m.

Deputies are using eight government vessels and a helicopter in what they have called a recovery mission.

Action News Jax first brought you the breaking news Sunday night after St. Johns County Fire Rescue said it responded to a report of swimmers in distress near the north inlet jetty on Porpoise Point.

RELATED: Coast Guard looking for missing swimmer in Vilano Beach

Residents said they haven't seen this part of Vilano Beach as choppy as it was Sunday since Hurricane Matthew.

"It's an area that’s a high-risk area for us, so we do patrol it carefully. This was just an unfortunate incident," said St. Johns County Fire Rescue Jeremy Robshaw.

Taylor was last seen 150 yards offshore near the North Shoal, fire rescue said.

Fire rescue officials said the waves, particularly near the jetties, are strong. Strong swimmers and surfers usually swim in the area.

This is a developing story. Refresh this page for the latest updates and follow @ActionNewsJax and @ColeANjax on Twitter.

Cox Media Group

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