WESTBROOK, CT (WFSB) -
The body of a man who was reported missing after swimming with some friends in Westbrook over the weekend was recovered Tuesday afternoon, according to emergency officials.
According to the U.S. Coast Guard, Benji Aven, 32, of Texas went swimming with some friends sometime before 1:30 a.m. Monday. But Coast Guard officials said Aven went missing after 1:30 a.m. because that was the last time that his friends saw him.
His friends returned to the condo where they were staying on Salt Island and did not report Aven missing until 11:30 a.m., emergency officials said.
The rescue mission quickly turned into a recovery mission, Coast Guard officials said, and the search for Aven's body was suspended as of 8:08 p.m. Monday. The Coast Guard did not resume the search until three jet skiers discovered the body Tuesday and called 911.
Emergency officials said a body that they believe was Aven was found in 3 1/2 feet of water on Tuesday afternoon and he was brought back to shore in a fireboat by Westbrook firefighters.
"The whole neighborhood is just devastated," said one Westbrook resident.
An autopsy will be performed to determine how Aven died.
During the rescue and eventual recovery mission, Coast Guard officials said they covered 250 square miles.
Connecticut State Police sonar equipment was used in the mission as well as a United States Coast Guard helicopter.
Aven, who was a father of two, was a roofer in Texas and working locally. Investigators are hoping to learn more from Aven's family, who will be in Connecticut in the near future.
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