Roberto Enrique Deleto disappeared while jet skiing on Tuesday.
On Thursday morning at 11 a.m., Chatham County authorities recovered the teen's body.
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Deleto and a friend were riding on personal watercraft when he began having mechanical problems. His friend went back to shore to get a rope to help pull the disabled vehicle back to shore.
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But when the friend returned, Robert was missing. His family said a life vest was found next to the watercraft.
The family's pastor Ricardo Correa shared in the communities' heartbreak Thursday.
"I would describe the last 48 hours. A death by a thousand paper cuts. You know, every moment you're being hurt, but you still have to hope for it. So. But we are here, and taking one step at a time," said Correa.
He said Roberto was an athlete and enjoyed sports like basketball and taekwondo.
"Roberto or Rob? As we would know him, he was full of energy," Correa said. "He was full of life. He was a good swimmer.... And it is a shame that such a bright light got dim so fast."