Wednesday morning the body of 24-year-old Tainarien “Tay” Elliot was found floating in the surf off of Front Beach Road. His body was found close the Days Inn, where he went missing Monday.

According to his family, Elliot was an excellent swimmer who would have tried to save anyone in need. He came to visit Panama City to welcome his younger brother home after being deployed in Qatar.

Panama City Beach Police say Elliot was at the beach and got in the water to try and save a friend who was caught in a rip current—and while that friend made it back safely, Elliot did not.

"These days and times you never know, you know, what can happen,” said his mother, Mia Elliot. “They can be here one minute and gone the next. I was just asking the Lord whatever His will is, let it be done. In my heart, I felt like he was gone, but I didn't officially know."

Elliot’s body has been turned over to the Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the official cause of death.