APOLLO BEACH, Fla. – Investigators with Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office believe they have recovered the body of the “Apollo Beach Hero” who attempted to rescue a father and son on Friday night in Apollo Beach.
“It is believed that the body of the third victim, (27-year-old Kristoff Murray) was recovered this afternoon, pending identification through the Medical Examiner’s Office,” said Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
During a press conference Monday, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said, “We feel confident that it is indeed Mr. Murray based on a physical characteristic and attributes the height the weight an article of clothing that he was wearing that evening and a tattoo that he had on his right bicep that his wife and sister have since identified.”
Search and rescue efforts were underway as the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Coast Guard, and, Hillsborough County Fire rescue searched for the missing hero.
During a press conference Friday night, Sheriff Chad Chronister said the man they are searching for is the ‘Apollo Beach hero’.
Chronister said the man saw an adult swimmer, with a child, struggling in the current. He immediately and without hesitation jumped into the water to try and help the people in the current.
On Friday, at approximately 7:30 p.m., deputies with HCSO’s Marine Unit were dispatched to the 6000 block of Surfside Boulevard, after receiving reports of two adults and a child who was swept away by a current and were unable to swim back to shore.
Deputies recovered the body of a deceased adult Friday night, Janosh Purackal. A child, 3-year-old Daniel Purackal was also located and transported to a nearby hospital, but later died.
“Our hearts break for the father and son who lost their lives tonight. The horrible sight led a selfless stranger to sacrifice his own life, in an attempt to save them,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister.
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