POLK COUNTY, Fla. — The Polk County Sheriff's Office said the bodies of two boaters who had been missing for nearly 48 hours were found at the bottom of Lake Eloise in Winter Haven.
According to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, the bodies of Orlando Ortiz, 30, and Jeffrey Marrero, 34, were discovered Monday afternoon by Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission sonar equipment.
Sheriff Judd said the bodies were discovered at the bottom of the lake and were roughly 3-400 yards offshore.
Ortiz and Velcky Velasquez, 38, rented a boat over the weekend to celebrate their one-year anniversary as a couple. Velasquez and Ortiz took along Marrero and his two daughters, ages 10 and 8.
According to PSCO, the couple had taken a boating class beforehand but were beginners to boating.
Velasquez began to "struggle" in the water after jumping in to secure an anchor to the boat. Due to the chop and wind, the boat was drifting away from her. Ortiz and Marrero jumped in to help Velasquez, but both men were not strong swimmers and went underwater. Morerro's 10-year-old daughter then dialed 911.
“The 10-year-old, in essence, is responsible for us saving the one lady with that 911 call,” Judd said.
As deputies arrived, a fisherman transported them from Lake Summit to the nearby lake, Lake Eloise, via the canal. Deputies and fishermen discovered the boat carrying the two little girls and were able to locate Velasquez.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office said the lake will be opened later Monday.
