Deputies find teen’s body in Lake Down

The sheriff’s office had been searching for the 17-year-old, who fell off a jet ski Thursday night. The victim was identified as Jeffery Barksdale.

By Amy Quesinberry
| 4:55 p.m. June 11, 2021

Southwest Orange
News

UPDATE: The deceased teen has been identified as Jeffery Barksdale. No foul play is suspected, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office has located the body of a teen who never resurfaced after he and a friend fell off a jet ski in Lake Down in Windermere. The 17-year-old and his friend — neither of whom have been named — were riding on the lake around 8:30 p.m. Thursday, June 10, when they fell, according to officials.

The friend was rescued and taken to Orlando Health – Health Central Hospital in Ocoee. The search for the second teen stopped last night when it became too dark, but the search was resumed today.

The marine unit discovered the body around 3 p.m.

author

Amy Quesinberry

Community Editor Amy Quesinberry was born at the old West Orange Memorial Hospital and raised in Winter Garden. Aside from earning her journalism degree from the University of Georgia, she hasn’t strayed too far from her hometown and her three-mile bubble. She grew up reading The Winter Garden Times and knew in the eighth grade she wanted to write for her community newspaper. She has been part of the writing and editing team since 1990.