The body of a Rockford man has been found after he went missing while in the Bahamas Monday, March 5.
According to the family of 19-year-old Jonathan Brussow, his body was recovered on March 9, "atop a cliff several hundred yards down from where the sea grabbed him." His family believes he came ashore shortly after he entered the water.
Local authorities had been searching for Brussow since his disappearance -- the U.S. Coast Guard offered some assistance for a short time.
Brussow was swept into the ocean near Glass Window Bridge on the north end of Eleuthera Island. Another person was with Brussow when he went missing and was able to get back to shore and alert authorities that he was gone.
Due to high sea surges, Glass Window Bridge was closed by the Bahamas Government. A public notice was issued last week.
Brussow was a graduate of Rockford High School from the class of 2016. He was part of the Rockford dive and swim team and according to his coach, Brussow was the "most beloved kid on the team."
Read his family's full statement below:
To friends / family
Jonathan Brussow was born on May 31, 1998 in the straight line wind storm that swept through Kent county. His mother and I arrived at hospital through roads of debris to have Jonathan enter this world minutes later.
On March 5, 2018 another storm (larger than the island of Eleuthera has seen since 1992) swept Jonathan off into the sea.
On March 9 2018 Jonathan's body was recovered atop a cliff several hundred yards down from where the sea grabbed him. It is our belief that he came ashore shortly after he entered the water and did not suffer.
God brought Jonathan in with a storm and took him back in a storm.
The Rockford squire wrote an article back around his birth and nicknamed him Storm Trooper. As a family he was known as Jonathan (Stormy) Brussow. He named his dog Stormy. For those that knew him well knew he lived his life with a storm of passion and a smile that would light up a room.
On behalf of Brad, Carolyn, Alex, Allison, and Athena we thank everyone who has brought joy and happiness to Jonathan's life.
Thank you also for all the prayers and support we have received through out this ordeal.
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April Stevens is a multi-platform producer at WZZM 13. Have a news tip? Email news@wzzm13.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter.