SEBRING, Fla. — Family, friends, and loved ones are mourning the loss of a man who was reported missing in Sebring over the weekend.
First responders stated they recovered the body of Omar Gutierrez-Gomez of Hardee County on Monday morning.
"He had such a sweet & amazing soul, never failed to make everyone laugh & smile," his sister Danialee Gutierrez stated in part to 10 Tampa Bay. "I love and miss him so much it literally makes my heart ache."
Gutierrez-Gomez jumped off a boat in Lake Jackson on Saturday night to retrieve his hat but never resurfaced, according to the Sebring Police Department. After nearly 36 hours of search and recovery efforts, authorities said first responders found his body.
A service honoring his life was held at Veteran's Beach Tuesday evening.
"This is a time to provide members of the community a space to come together as one to grieve and address the sadness we feel over this tragic death," Rev. George Miller stated.
Danialee Gutierrez adds he was the kind of person who never failed to make everyone laugh and smile. In addition, he was the kind of person who knew what goals he wanted to achieve and gave the best advice.
"God knew he was too good of a person to be on this earth. It seemed as if he had life all figured out," she stated. "He may be gone but will forever be in our hearts, best believe we will complete those goals of his & make his dreams come true."
Sebring police thanked the numerous agencies involved in the search and recovery efforts, including the Sebring Fire Department, the Highland County Sheriff's Office, members of Florida Fish and Wildlife, the Frostproof Fire Department, and the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
If you would like to donate to the funeral expenses of Gutierrez-Gomez, visit this link.
