Kevin Persad, a 29-year-old resident of St. Petersburg, Florida, went missing on September 15, 2010, after an afternoon swim at Fort De Soto Park. Persad had ventured into the water with a friend, intending to swim approximately 250 feet offshore toward Shell Key Preserve. Around 3:30 p.m., his friend lost sight of him, and despite an extensive search involving multiple rescue teams, Persad never made it back to shore. The U.S.
Coast Guard, along with local fire and rescue crews, conducted an extensive search covering the waters near Bunces Pass, but no trace of him was found, leading authorities to believe he likely drowned due to the strong currents in the area.
Kevin Persad had moved from Trinidad and Tobago to Florida with his family in 1997. He was a Lakewood High School graduate and attended the International Academy of Design in Tampa, where he hoped to pursue a career in fashion design. At the time of his disappearance, he worked in customer service for the American Automobile Association (AAA). Despite the assumption that he drowned, his body was never recovered, and his case remains unresolved. This tragic incident highlights the dangers of swimming in areas prone to strong currents, such as Fort De Soto's waters, especially when lifeguards are not present.Last Seen: Sep 15, 2010
