Harold Hunter : “Girlfriend’s Heartbreak: Drowning Victim’s Final Moments in Florida Beach”

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — The picturesque shores of Panama City Beach turned into a scene of heartbreak as a group of six holidaymakers from central Alabama faced a tragic end to their vacation on Friday.

The group had gathered to celebrate a friend’s birthday by the beach when a rip current suddenly swept three men away into the unforgiving waters. Despite the efforts of rescue swimmers, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that all three men were tragically pronounced dead upon arrival at a local hospital.

The individuals who lost their lives were identified as 25-year-old Harold Denzel Hunter and 24-year-olds Jemonda Ray and Marius Richardson. Shockingly, all three men were fathers, leaving behind devastated families and loved ones.

Reflecting on the ordeal, Daejah Merchant, who was part of the group, expressed her disbelief, stating, “We never even expected that six of us would go in and only three would come out.”

Ray’s mother, Iris Richardson, expressed gratitude for the efforts of the rescue team in recovering the bodies of the men. “I’m able to bring him home,” Richardson said, trying to find solace in the fact that her son is now back with his family.

Describing the strong bond between her son and his cousin Marius, Richardson shared, “I’m glad both of them came home, and we’re doing their funeral together.”

The grief and pain were palpable for Jemonda’s older sister, Jayla Ray, who tearfully shared, “I wake up thinking about him. I wake up crying, looking at his picture.”

Merchant recounted the harrowing moment when the group was engulfed by the current as they made their way back to shore at dusk. She described the sudden turn of events, saying, “A current had come and swept them under in literally three seconds.”

Jemonda, who leaves behind a one-year-old son and three siblings, was known for his love of football and dedication to fatherhood. Merchant expressed gratitude that not all six of them were lost, ensuring that the children left behind have support.

Lessons Learned and Calls for Awareness

Reflecting on the incident, Merchant highlighted the importance of understanding beach safety protocols, lamenting the difficulty in spotting red flags that indicate dangerous conditions. Ray’s father echoed the sentiment, calling for more visible warnings to alert beachgoers of potential hazards.

In the wake of this tragedy, GoFundMe campaigns have been set up to support the families of the deceased men during this difficult time. Contributions can be made to the Hunter’s, Ray’s and Richardson’s.