Hawaii County police identified the 17-year-old victim of a possible drowning as John Joel Nicholas Buentipo of Keaau.

Buentipo was reported swimming with friends Friday near Shipman Beach in Keaau when he experienced difficulties in the water and was unable to swim back to shore about 1:30 p.m., police said. His friends apparently lost sight of Buentipo and rescue personnel and a helicopter from the Hawaii Fire Department conducted a search, which was suspended at nightfall. 

The search resumed Saturday morning and Buentipo’s body was found about 7:25 a.m. near the place where he was last seen. He was pronounced dead at Hilo Medical Center.

An autopsy was scheduled for Tuesday. Police said they do not suspect foul play.