SpaceX employee found dead on beach after going for swim near facility, Texas cops say
_fitted.png "The U.S. Coast Guard launched a search for a SpaceX employee who went missing while going for a swim near a company facility at Boca Chica Beach, Texas officials say.")
A SpaceX employee has been found dead after going for a swim at a south Texas beach near the aerospace company’s facilities, officials say.
Deputies stationed at SpaceX were alerted to a “swimmer in distress” at Boca Chica Beach at 7:33 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 20, the Cameron County Sheriff’s Office said in an Oct. 21 news release. There were other employees on the beach when deputies arrived, one of whom was in the water trying to rescue their struggling co-worker.
The swimmer was later identified as Kevin Edward Escobar, officials told KVEO.
Ecobar’s colleague was unable to reach him, deputies said, as Escobar was more than 50 yards away from shore amid high tides and strong currents.
The co-worker was able to make it back safely, but deputies lost sight of Escobar, the sheriff’s office said.
A search was quickly launched, and Coast Guard rescue crews scoured the area around Boca Chica Beach and South Padre Island for 18 hours, covering more than 205 square miles, the Coast Guard said in a news release. The search was called off on Sunday evening.
At 6:33 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21, a body washed up on Boca Chica Beach and it was determined to be Escobar, the sheriff’s office said.
SpaceX has a large presence in the area, including a launch facility right next to Boca Chica Beach.
This story was originally published October 22, 2024 at 4:16 PM with the headline "SpaceX employee found dead on beach after going for swim near facility, Texas cops say."