Orlando teen drowns after kayaking, paddleboarding with 5 others near Cortland Nona apartments: Police | FOX 51 Gainesville
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Orlando teen drowns after kayaking, paddleboarding with 5 others near Cortland Nona apartments: Police

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Published  May 15, 2025 2:24pm EDT
Orange County
FOX 35 Orlando
Orlando teen drowns after kayaking, paddleboarding with 5 others

Orlando teen drowns after kayaking, paddleboarding with 5 others

A teenager’s body was recovered Thursday from Lake Whippoorwill in the Lake Nona area after hours of search efforts by dive teams, police said.

The Brief

    • A teen drowned after entering a lake near the Cortland Nona apartments with five others to kayak and paddle board, police say.
    • Officials said they located the teen's body after an extensive search effort that began Wednesday evening.
    • The teen has not yet been identified by authorities.

ORLANDO, Fla. - A teenager’s body was recovered Thursday from Lake Whippoorwill in the Lake Nona area after hours of search efforts by dive teams, police said.

1 drowns in Orlando lake

What we know:

The Orlando Police Department (OPD) said they responded around 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday to the Cortland Nona apartment complex located at 12035 Pioneers Way. 

According to the OPD, the teen had been kayaking with a group of friends on Wednesday evening when he went under and did not resurface. The search continued into the following day. 

His body was pulled from the water just after noon on Thursday by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office dive team.

Authorities are asking anyone with additional information to contact the Orlando Police Department.

What we don't know:

Officials have not yet released the identity or age of the teen.

The events leading up to the incident are currently still unclear.

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Officials investigate possible drowning

The backstory:

Divers with OCSO were spotted searching a pond near Lake Whippoorwill in Orlando after reports of a possible drowning incident overnight.

The Orlando Fire Department (OFD) said they responded to Lake Whippoorwill on Wednesday evening after receiving 911 calls about a possible drowning.

Water rescue underway near Cortland Nona apartments

Water rescue underway near Cortland Nona apartments

Police are investigating a possible drowning incident reported at the Cortland Nona apartment complex on Wednesday afternoon. As of Thursday morning, crews are still investigating near a lake behind the complex along Pioneers Way off Narcoossee Road.

Law enforcement agencies were at the lake for hours. 

What they're saying:

Throughout the day, access to this entire area was roped off with crime scene tape. Crime scene investigator vans were parked out front while detectives documented what they could from the scene.

"We were like asking around what happened, and it was scary," said witness Bodhi Davis. "First, it was like, ‘Oh, it must be an incident with a pool.' Then later we were like, ‘Oh, someone might’ve gotten eaten by an alligator.’ When we found out, we were like, ‘Oh, someone drowned, that’s terrible.’ I mean, it is terrible."

Bodhi's mother said she was heartbroken after hearing about everything her son saw

"It was very scary, I thought, ‘Oh my goodness.’ It’s tragic," said Lisa Davis. "Your heart goes out to the family. It just makes you put yourself in their position. It just makes you feel extremely sad. My heart goes out to them."

Orange County Public Schools Superintendent released a statement expressing condolences, saying, "I am heartbroken by the loss of one of our students who tragically died off campus Wednesday evening. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time."

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The Source: This story was written based on information shared by the Orlando Fire Department (OFD) and the Orlando Police Department (OPD) on May 15, 2025.

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