MAITLAND, Fla. — Authorities recovered a body from Lake Eulalia on Sunday evening that is believed to be missing 13-year-old Na’Sean Edward Kirkland, according to the Maitland Police Department.
Police said a member of the public reported seeing what appeared to be a human body in the lake just after 7 p.m.Emergency responders arrived at the scene and located a deceased person in approximately 8 feet of water, about 20 feet from the shoreline.
Investigators made a tentative identification based on the individual’s appearance and last-known clothing matching that of Kirkland, who was reported missing Saturday afternoon from the Windgrove neighborhood in Maitland.
The Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office responded to the scene and will make the official identification and determine the cause of death.
Search Effort Spanned Multiple Lakes and Agencies
Lake Eulalia, a six-acre body of water located north of Lake Avenue near the Thurston House Bed and Breakfast, is a short distance from the family’s home. Authorities previously searched Lake Eulalia, as well as nearby lakes Catherine and Sybelia, as part of an extensive multi-agency search operation.
Lake Sybelia initially became the focus of the investigation following early eyewitness reports. Kirkland’s brother, who had last been seen with him when the two left their home around 1:30 p.m. Saturday, was later found in the area near Lake Sybelia Drive.
Law enforcement agencies from across Central Florida assisted in the search, including partners from Orange County, Seminole County, the City of Winter Park, the City of Lake Mary, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Community Support and Family Assistance
Officials said the family briefly met with a victim advocate from Orange County following the recovery. The police department asked media and community members to respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time.
City leaders also expressed gratitude to the community members and partner agencies who contributed to the search efforts over the weekend.
The investigation remains ongoing pending confirmation from the medical examiner.
