Police: The head that washed up in South Florida belongs to a missing 19-year-old

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — So a disembodied head washed up in South Florida has been identified as that of a 19-year-old swimmer who went missing in Miami Beach after trying to rescue his younger sister from a rip current, authorities said.

Victor Enrique Castaneda Jr. was reported missing from a jetty on November 9. His disappearance led to a failed search by local officials and the U.S. Coast Guard, media outlets reported.

Meanwhile, on November 12, a man’s head was found by a beach worker in Key Biscayne, the barrier island near Miami. On Friday, the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner confirmed that the human remains were those of Castaneda. A cause and manner of death have not been released.

Castaneda and his sister were swimming at South Point Beach in Miami Beach when a current caught them. A bystander went into the water and saved the girl, but when that person went back to help Castaneda, he was nowhere to be foundsaid family members.

On Saturday, family and friends gathered on the beach for a memorial service to celebrate the young man’s life. Two Miami-Dade County Fire Rescue boats fired water cannons during an honorary show, the Miami Herald reported. Castaneda’s sisters wore “Forever 19” shirts and told the news media they were grateful for the support given to their family.

“He would have loved to see how many people came together and loved him with all their hearts,” said Castaneda’s sister Chloe. told WBFS-TV.

“My brother was a wonderful, wonderful person and knowing him meant I loved him,” his other sister, Jessica, added. “He couldn’t have been more perfect. The kindest person I have ever known.”

Castaneda was one of eight children.