UPDATE – Tragedy in Destin: Parents Drown, Son Saved by Heroic Beachgoer

In Brief:

🌊 Two people died in an apparent drowning near SunDestin Resort on May 27.

🚒 Destin Fire Control District responded to the incident but declined to release further details.

📅 These are the first reported drowning deaths in Okaloosa County for the 2025 summer season.

Update May 29 – Authorities identify victims and confirm yellow flag conditions at time of incident

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office has released more information about the victims in Tuesday’s double drowning off the coast of Destin.

The couple, a 57-year-old man and 54-year-old woman from Buford, Georgia, were vacationing with their son when they were caught in the surf roughly 75 to 100 yards offshore near 1040 U.S. Highway 98. A bystander used a boogie board to rescue their 26-year-old son, saving his life.

Despite efforts by beach safety personnel and first responders, both parents could not be revived. Yellow flags—indicating moderate surf and currents—were flying at the time.

Original Story

Two people have died in what appears to be a drowning just off the shores of Destin on May 27th.

Destin Fire Control District, the entity that provides beach protection for Destin, says the drownings took place on Tuesday afternoon at the SunDestin Resort in the Destin City Limits.

Mike Landis, the Public Affairs representative for The Destin Fire Control District, told Mid Bay News that the district would not comment further on the incident to protect the family members of those who died in the incident.

The two drownings are the first two known deaths of the summer season for Okaloosa County.