A grim discovery was made in Newport, Rhode Island this Wednesday, as the Department of Environmental Management reported that a body was found along the shoreline near Brenton Point State Park. The identity of the deceased is pending, awaiting confirmation from the state medical examiner, according to WJAR.
The find raises questions as the waters off Newport claimed another young man not long before: Dexter Gutierrez Matias, a 20-year-old from East Providence who was reported missing on June 23, 2024. After multiple unsuccessful searches, the operation was suspended. It was in these same waters that he was last seen. His family states he was caught in a rip current while learning to swim and swept away, as reported by WJAR.
Long-standing residents of the area urge caution, attesting to the treacherous nature of the local waters known for their rough and choppy conditions. "Anything can happen. I'm a good swimmer, but these riptides, unbelievable," Allen McGinnes explained his experience with the unpredictable tides to WJAR, suggesting the area is unwelcoming for swimming activities.
Further details regarding the incident remain scant as investigations are ongoing. A GoFundMe page for Gutierrez Matias gives a glimpse into his ill-fated swim lesson that turned tragic when, as per the fundraiser description, he was learning how to swim when a rip current swept him off his feet. This recent recovery has not been confirmed to be Gutierrez Matias, as officials have disclosed that the investigation remains open.
