22-047 Deputies Investigate Drowning of Virginia Man In Madeira Beach
Drowning
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
Special Operations Division
-Marine Unit
-Dive Team
-Flight Unit
Investigative Operations Bureau
-Robbery/Homicide Unit
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)
United States Coast Guard
Ritvik Dammoju (Victim- Deceased)
DOB: 03/07/2000
PINELLAS COUNTY – On May 18, 2022 at approximately 6:40 p.m., deputies responded to Johns Pass in Madeira Beach after reports of four people struggling to swim. All four swimmers were about one hundred yards west of the swim buoys near Johns Pass.
According to detectives, three of the four swimmers were rescued by citizens utilizing paddle boards. The fourth swimmer, later identified as 21-year-old Ritvik Dammoju, continued to struggle and was further west of the paddle boarders. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit, Flight Unit, Dive Team, FWC, and the Coast Guard all responded and actively searched for the missing swimmer.
The search efforts continued throughout the next two days and on May 20th, 2022 at approximately 8:00 a.m., the Marine Unit and Dive Team recovered Dammoju’s body about one half mile west of the Johns Pass Bridge.
The incident does not appear to be suspicious in nature.
Next of kin has been notified.
The investigation continues.
