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New details released in Destin drowning of Georgia husband and wife

Witnesses say the family was struggling about 75 to 100 yards offshore when a bystander used a boogie board to rescue the son.
OCSO

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office has identified the husband and wife who drowned Tuesday in the Gulf near a Destin resort and released new details about the incident that claimed their lives while their son survived.

  • The couple were residents of Buford, Georgia, ages 57 and 54 respectively, according to a sheriff’s office news release Wednesday.

Witnesses told deputies the couple and their 26-year-old son were spotted struggling in the Gulf about 75 to 100 yards offshore of 1040 U.S. Highway 98. A bystander borrowed a boogie board and went out to try to rescue them.

He was able to get the son to shore, and his actions saved the young man’s life, the sheriff’s office said.

Beach safety personnel pulled the mother out of the water while Destin Beach Safety and an OCSO Marine Unit located the father. Intense and extensive lifesaving measures were performed on both parents but were unsuccessful.

Yellow flags were flying on the beach at the time

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One Response

  1. My prayers to all family and friends of the deceased. Praying for the son for a full recovery in JESUS CHRIST NAME.

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Community Comments

“Use part of the $5million to remove the docks that are in an already overcrowded harbor.”
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“Fire hydrants are color coded for the rate of water flow measured in gallons per minute (GPM). Seems like painting the hydrants in artistic color designs would mess up this...”
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“Isn't that going to make that area of waterway too crowded during tourist season ? As is already is!”
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Michael L. Cobb commented on WordroW: April 1, 2026
“1 min 36 sec”
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“Who authorized the building of the docks?”
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“Hopefully they didn't get their child back. They're lucky the Kiddo survived.”
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“The county needs to walk away gracefully and let Destin handle it.”
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“Jim Bagby, take the pledge to always support & fight for the citizens & tourists proven historic right to free and unobstructed access to and use of the beaches in...”
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Michael L. Cobb commented on WordroW: March 30, 2026
“1 min 23 sec”
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