16-Year-Old Identified as Victim of St. Lucie River Drowning

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Port St. Lucie police confirmed Tuesday that the body of a 16-year-old boy was found in the St. Lucie River.

WPTV spoke with a woman who said she was the aunt of 16-year-old Ja’Quon Madaris, who was fishing with friends when he went missing Tuesday. She said her nephew didn’t know how to swim. Family confirmed his body was found.

The Port St. Lucie Police Department confirmed to X that “a 16-year-old male was fishing under the bridge with two other juveniles. All three juveniles attempted to cross the mangrove perimeter when the water became too deep for the 16-year-old, who submerged and did not resurface.”

He added that the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office dive team “discovered the body of a juvenile submerged under the bridge.”

Port St. Lucie police told WPTV the 16-year-old and two of his friends were fishing and trying to swim across the river in shallow water when the water dropped 10 to 12 feet. The body was found just before 4 p.m.

The Port St. Lucie Police Department reported to X at 1 p.m. that the incident occurred under the Twin Bridges on Southeast Port St. Lucie Boulevard, just east of Southeast Floresta Drive.

Post St. Lucie police officers said this is the second water-related incident they have been called to since early January.

“Just because you’re fishing from land, don’t assume you’re not going to end up in the water,” said Port St. Lucie Deputy Chief Leo Niemczyk. “If you’re not a good swimmer, consider wearing or putting on a life jacket, a buoyancy aid, have it handy. One of his friends could throw it to him if he had it handy.”

“Please avoid the area and seek alternative routes as there are a large number of emergency services on and under the bridge,” police said in a statement.

Photos posted to X show multiple Port St. Lucie police cruisers on the bridge, as well as at least one law enforcement boat in the water.

“Now that I know what happened, why the helicopter was circling, I’m devastated for their family, I really am,” said resident Barbara Robotti. “These kids are just starting their lives at 16 and to lose a friend is heartbreaking.”