Divers have recovered the bodies of the two people who drowned in Lake Weir Monday. Crews began their search right after receiving the 9-1-1 call from family members yesterday afternoon. Early this morning, dive teams returned. This tragedy is the second to hit this family.
The Stephen's family had just come to grips with losing 35-year-old Kenneth Stephens Jr. in a mining accident just before Christmas last year. His body was never found, which is why crews say they promised the family that wouldn't be the case for this tragedy.
Pulled from Lake Weir was 55-year-old Kenneth Stephens Sr. and his sister-in-law 44-year-old Pauline Yambao.
The cousin of Kenneth, Lawrence Stephens, spoke on behalf of the family. Stephens said, "the family is going through a very hard time. We were just trying to get back together and now we have this tragic accident."
Family had come to Ocala for a memorial remembering Kenneth Stephens Jr.. who died in a mining accident six months ago. The memorial was on Saturday, and two days later, his father and aunt drowned at Lake Wier.
On Monday, Yambao was struggling in the water when Stephens jumped in to help her. That's when investigators say the two struggled, pulling each other under.
Their bodies were recovered around noon today. They were brought to a dock near Lemon Point where they were picked up by medical examiners.