FRANKLIN COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - Family members are speaking out after their loved one went missing into the surf on St. George Island over the weekend.
"To me, he's a hero," said Natisha Maynor. Natisha says her brother, 29-year-old Bruce Maynor, Jr., his wife, and their kids loved the beach. She says Bruce was a pretty good swimmer.
That's why, when a young boy, a family friend, started to slip into the waters, Maynor didn't hesitate to jump in after him. Maynor was able to save the young boy's life, but Maynor's family says the current swept him back into the waves.
"The only thing I heard him say is 'come here, brother-in-law.' But I couldn't... I couldn't save him," said Willie Stinson, Maynor's brother-in-law.
The Franklin County Sheriff says now that it's been more than 24 hours, it's no longer a search and rescue mission; it's a recovery mission.
As for the Maynor family, they say they're staying on St. George Island until Bruce Maynor's body is found, because they just want some closure.
"I know we will be back every April 30th in celebration of B.J," said Angela Smith, Maynor's mother.
The search for Maynor's body will resume Tuesday.
