Search for missing swimmer ends in tragedy

Friends have paid tribute to a Brisbane man who went missing off Coolum Beach on the weekend after a body was found.

The search for a missing 21-year-old Brisbane man who was swept away off Coolum Beach has ended in tragedy, with authorities confirming a body was found just 300m from where the man was last seen.

An extensive three-day search was conducted in waterways off Coolum Beach but Surf Life Saving Queensland‘s Sunshine Coast regional manager Aaron Purchase said crews found a body floating about 2pm on Monday.

Brisbane man Kyle Schroduer, 21, was last seen in waters off Stumers Creek about 4.30pm Saturday. The body was found about 300m north of where he had been.

The search had resumed for a third day before being called off on Monday. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Friends and family took to Facebook Monday afternoon, sharing tributes online after hearing news a body was found.

“I will always remember you as the warm hearted friend that always could put a smile on my face,” one woman shared on Facebook.

Another wrote: “Love you brother. I’ll never forget the memories we were able to make together”.

Friends who shared tributes online said the ordeal has still left them in “utter shock”.

“Such a lovely soul taken in such a tragedy,” one friend wrote.

“You will be missed by so many Kyle.”

Samantha Meyer said she and boyfriend Kyle Schroduer had been together since high school as she took to social media to praise him. Picture: Social Media

Queensland Police Service had cordoned off a section of the beach on Monday near where the discovery was made.

Mr Purchase said a rip was believed to be the likely cause as to what went wrong.

“On behalf of Surf Lifesaving Queensland our condolences go out to his family and friends, it’s tragic at any time of the year, let alone on the eve of Easter,” Mr Purchase said.

“Our thoughts go out to his family and friends.”

Mr Purchase said a combination of 20-25 Sunshine Coast Surf Lifesavers on jetskis, IRB, helicopter, drones and vehicles were involved in the search party, supported by water police and the coastguard.

They had been scouring the waters and beach from 5am, on top of a full day’s efforts on Sunday.

Mr Purchase said while the swell wasn’t “too bad” recent rain had made the water’s visibility difficult.

Mr Purchase said he wished to thank the crews involved in the search for bringing closure to his loved ones.

Police said a report would be prepared for the coroner.

Police divers and helicopters spent the past three days scouring the waters in bid to find him.

On Sunday, Ms Schroduer’s girlfriend Samantha Meyers described him as a “one-of-a-kind larrikin”.

She said the pair were high school sweethearts who had been together for four years.

Originally published as Search for missing swimmer ends in tragedy