CLEARWATER, Fla. — A teenager who went missing during a kayaking accident earlier this month has been found dead, bringing a tragic end to a weeklong search along Florida’s coast. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Tuesday that the body of Elias Guillermo Lara Vargas was discovered on Clearwater Beach.

According to the sheriff’s office, a civilian found Lara Vargas’ body around 7:40 a.m. Tuesday and immediately notified authorities. Deputies responded to the scene and later confirmed the identity of the teen. His family has been notified of his death, officials said.

Lara Vargas went missing on January 18 after a kayaking trip near Honeymoon Island turned dangerous. Authorities said he and 19-year-old Savannah Ozer were on the water when strong waves capsized their kayaks, throwing both of them into the water. Conditions at the time were rough, making rescue efforts difficult.

Ozer was rescued from the water shortly after the incident and taken to a hospital for evaluation. She survived the ordeal, but Lara Vargas was not located during the initial response. His disappearance prompted an extensive search involving the U.S. Coast Guard and multiple local first responder agencies.

For more than a week, crews searched the waters and nearby shoreline in hopes of finding the missing teen. Despite the large-scale effort, Lara Vargas remained missing until his body was discovered Tuesday morning on Clearwater Beach, miles from where the kayaks capsized.

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said the incident does not appear suspicious in nature. Officials have not released details about the teen’s exact cause of death, but the case is being treated as an accidental drowning related to the kayaking mishap. Authorities are reminding the public to use caution when kayaking or boating, especially in rough water, and to always be aware of weather and wave conditions before heading out.