On Monday, May 31(Memorial Day), the Winter Park Police Department received a 911 call at 7:30 p.m. from a boater on Lake Osceola Avenue who stated 20-year-old Harry Carter did not resurface from the water after allegedly going in for a swim. Carter’s body was later found deceased and retrieved from Lake Osceola the following evening by the Orange County Sheriff’s Marine unit.
The Winter Park Police Department, Winter Park Fire Department, Maitland Fire Department Dive Team, and the Orange County Sherriff’s Marine unit responded to the 911 call on Monday evening. Officers with the Florida Wildlife Commission were also called to help, and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office provided aerial surveillance. The search and rescue mission for Carter that night continued through early morning hours but was discontinued due to low visibility in the water.
On Tuesday, the search and rescue mission turned into a recovery mission. Nearly 24 hours after receiving the 911 call, the Orange County Sheriff’s Marine unit announced that Carter’s body was found and would be recovered from the south side of Lake Osceola. According to the WPPD, the Medical Examiner’s office was notified and assisted with the recovery.
Winter Park officials say the investigation will remain ongoing until authorities determine the cause of death.
Harry Carter, who was just two months shy of his 21st birthday, grew up in Central Florida and attended The First Academy and Dr. Phillips Magnet Program. After graduating high school in 2019, Carter moved to Tallahassee and became a member of Kappa Alpha Order (KA) during his time as a student at Florida State University.
According to a source close to the family, Harry Carter was loved by everyone. The Carters ask that locals keep the family in their thoughts and prayers during this devastating time.
If you or a loved one has any information regarding this case, please call the WPPD at (407)-599-3320.