Polk authorities searching for missing 18-year-old man in Lake McLeod

POLK COUNTY, Fla. — The Polk County Sheriff’s Office and fire rescue are searching for a missing 18-year-old Eagle Lake man in Lake McLeod.

The sheriff’s office has identified the victim as Aaron Tillman, a student at Ambassadors Christian Academy of Winter Haven, and a member of the football and wrestling teams.

According to authorities, the teen and a 19-year-old woman were out Sunday kayaking on the lake.

Family members told authorities that Tillman could not swim, and had never been on a kayak before.

The woman he was with said she had jumped in the water to swim, but when she resurfaced, she saw Tillman struggling to stay above the surface of the water. However, she told detectives that she did not know if he fell or got into the lake intentionally.

Authorities said a nearby witness saw what happened and got into the water to help the woman rescue Tillman, but despite both of their efforts, Tillman disappeared under the water.

“We have had several boats from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, FWC, and Polk County Fire Rescue looking for this young man, and we will remain on scene until he is found. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Tillman’s family and friends, and we’re going to look for him like he was one of our own relatives,” Sheriff Grady Judd said.

The search for Tillman is expected to continue throughout the day.