Canadian Teen Swimmer Found Dead Off Florida Coast

PINELLAS COUNTY, Florida  – Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Underwater Search and Recovery Team deputies have located the body of 17-year-old William Zhang who went missing while doing drills with his swim team in the Gulf of Mexico off of Indian Shores, Florida.

According to detectives, Zhang was visiting Florida from Quebec, Canada, with his swim team for a swim camp. 

Zhang and several other swim team members were swimming in the Gulf of Mexico, conducting swimming drills in the area of 19534 Gulf Boulevard in Indian Shores.

Deputies responded to a 911 call around 9 a.m. on March 6, 2024, after it was discovered Zhang did not return to shore at the end of the drills.

The swim coaches told deputies that they checked for riptides or hazards before the swimmers entered the water.

Search efforts were conducted by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, Indian Shores Police Department, Pinellas Suncoast Fire Rescue, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), and the United States Coast Guard.

At approximately 5:23 p.m., Zhang was located and pronounced deceased.

Investigators say that the incident does not appear suspicious in nature.

Zhang's next of kin has been notified.