Elias Guillermo Lara Vargas dies in fatal Clearwater Beach kayaking accident

Elias Guillermo Lara Vargas dies in fatal Clearwater Beach kayaking accident
Fatal Clearwater Beach kayaking accident death of Elias Guillermo Lara Vargas – Obituary

Elias Guillermo Lara Vargas, 18, of Florida, was found dead Tuesday morning on Clearwater Beach, nearly ten days after his kayak capsized near Honeymoon Island State Park in Dunedin.

The incident occurred on January 18, when Vargas and two others were kayaking offshore. Strong waves caused two of the kayakers to drift far from shore and overturn. While 19-year-old Savannah Ozer was rescued by Dunedin Fire Rescue and treated for hypothermia, Vargas went missing. The U.S. Coast Guard conducted an extensive search covering nearly 290 square miles, but suspended efforts the following day due to rough conditions. Authorities do not suspect foul play, and his family has been notified of his death.