Hoke County High student drowns off Myrtle Beach coast

In a tragic incident, a 15-year-old Hoke County High School (HCHS) student lost his life in a drowning accident off the coast of Myrtle Beach last weekend. The Horry County Coroner’s Office identified the student as Edwin Gonzalez-Rosendo, whose remains were found on Sunday, Aug. 25, near 18th Avenue South. His body washed ashore after 6:30 PM.

Beloved by his community

A noticeably somber atmosphere enveloped the HCHS campus as teachers, fellow students, and the school board grappled with the untimely departure of Edwin, who was known for his cheerful nature and adoration for soccer. “He had this infectious aura of joy that can’t be replaced,” his sister, Jazmin Gonzalez-Rosendo, told HERE News.

Edwin was a rising ninth grader at the Hoke County High School, a fact that only adds to the tragic nature of his passing at such a tender age.

Statement from the Hoke County Schools

The Hoke County Schools, in a heartfelt statement, paid tribute to Edwin and expressed their sympathies to his family. “Hoke County Schools joins our community in mourning the loss of our student, Edwin Gonzalez-Rosendo who passed away in Myrtle Beach, SC, last weekend,” the official statement read. “Edwin was a rising 9th grader at HCHS. This is a great loss for our entire district family. We offer our sincere condolences to the family, friends, and the HCHS community in their time of need.”

A call to aid funeral expenses

Meanwhile, the Gonzalez-Rosendo family has initiated a fundraising effort on GoFundMe to manage the funeral expenses. The link to the fundraiser can be found here.

The tragic accident serves as a grim reminder of the unpredictability of life, especially in coastal regions where incidents of drowning can occur. HERE News Network offers its deepest sympathies to Edwin’s family and friends and urges the public to exercise extreme caution while engaging in beach and ocean activities.