Based on preliminary evidence, Sheriff Chad Chronister announced on Monday, June 14, that the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office believes it has identified the body of an adult male victim found in the Apollo Beach area as Kristoff Murray, 27, a Good Samaritan who attempted to save a father and son from drowning on Friday, June 11, at the Apollo Beach Nature Preserve.
At 12:41 p.m. on Monday, June 14, the body of an adult male matching the height, weight, and clothing description of Murray was located by Hillsborough County Zoning and Maritime Safety on a spoil island west of the TECO Power Plant in Apollo Beach. The HCSO Marine Unit was notified, recovered the body, and contacted relatives of Murray to inform them of the finding.
With the assistance of the HCSO Marine Unit, Aviation Unit, and Dive Team, along with the U.S. Coast Guard, Tampa Police, and Hillsborough County Fire Rescue, Janosh Purackal, 37, and his son Daniel Purackal, 3, were located in the water at approximately 9 p.m. Friday. Janosh was pronounced deceased at the scene. Daniel was transported to an area hospital where he passed away. According to witnesses, the two were said to be wading in the water at the nature preserve, when a strong current swept them further into the water. Murray went into the water in an attempt to save them.
“Since Friday night’s tragedy, we put an extensive amount of resources into our search, because we wanted to provide this brave man's family with the same amount of hope he gave to a father and son in their time of need," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “His actions were nothing short of heroic. While this is not the outcome anyone wanted, I hope that with this finding, Mr. Murray's family will get some form of closure.”
The Hillsborough County Medical Examiner’s Office will take possession of the deceased and conduct a thorough examination to confirm identity and an exact cause of death.