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Body of swimmer identified as Charlton County High School football player

Raymond Wade, 17, was swimming near the Trader’s Hill Boat Ramp

FOLKSTON, Ga. – A 17-year-old missing swimmer found dead Thursday evening was a football player at Charlton County High School, the school‘s head football coach confirmed to News4JAX.

Raymond Wade, a junior, played wide receiver on the varsity team.

The school posted Friday about the student’s death.

“It has been a difficult day at CCHS today. We lost a wonderful young man with a great spirit and attitude yesterday. Raymond Wade was loved by all teachers and students at CCHS. He was known for getting along with others and finding the silver lining in any situation. Raymond has been a member of our football program since 6th grade at BMS. He will be greatly missed by all of our students and staff,” the post said.

The statement concluded by saying there will be a prayer vigil at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Champ Bailey Field.

The school also posted photos of Wade.

Raymond Wade is missed at CCHS. Please join us Monday night at 6:30PM at Champ Bailey Field. That is May 9, 2022.

Posted by Charlton County High School on Friday, May 6, 2022

Noah Doggett played on the varsity football team with Wade.

“He was a good kid and he would do anything to help anybody. If he had a chance to, he would help anybody. It’s just going to be different without him here now,” Doggett said.

Just after 5 p.m. Thursday, the Charlton County Sheriff’s Office got a call about a possible drowning near the Trader’s Hill Boat Ramp.

Witnesses told authorities that Wade was swimming in the St. Mary’s River when he got tired and started calling for help.

Investigators said his friends tried to save him, but the 17-year-old went under the water and did not resurface,.

After a multi-agency search including dive teams, and crews searching the river using sonar detection, the teen’s body was recovered less than six hours later.

Russ Murray, the school’s head football coach, said Wade has been in the program since sixth grade and was a wide receiver.

“On my part, I look at my boys as my boys — and I lost one yesterday,” Murray said. “And that’s extremely tough to deal with.”

A sentiment that is felt across the close-knit community.

“Just having to get it through my mind that it’s real. It’s not a dream,” Doggett said. “It actually happened, and he’s gone.”


About the Author
Renee Beninate headshot

Renee Beninate is a Florida native and award-winning reporter who joined the News4Jax team in June 2021.

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