Photo by Bárbara Montavon on Unsplash
A man from Manhattan was found dead in a Fire Island swimming pool just days after the death of another swimmer.
Suffolk County Police say they were called to the Canteen eatery around 7 p.m. on Thursday. They then found 32-year-old Carlos Medina unconscious and unresponsive in the restaurant’s pool.
Medina was taken to the Marine Bureau Headquarters at Timber Point by boat before being moved to the Southside Hospital in Bay Shore. It was there that he was officially pronounced dead.
While it’s believed that no foul play was involved with Medina’s death, the medical examiner set to determine the cause. In addition, the Suffolk County Police are investigating the scene where Medina was found.
Outside Pines, which own the Canteen, released the following statement to mourn Medina.
“In a day that is meant to celebrate the love and inclusion between our sister communities of The Pines and Cherry Grove, we suffered a tragedy that is under investigation,” the statement read. “While we are awaiting answers, we send our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Carlos Medina.”
This incident comes a few days after another body was found drowned in the gay-friendly vacation spot. This time, a Manhattan woman from the Upper East Side named Barbara Langbecker, 67, drowned in the water just off the island. It’s believed that she had gone swimming during a storm and drowned due to chaotic waves.
A passerby spotted Langbecker floating in the water near the shore off the Seaview Marina. He then used a paddle board to grab ahold of her and keep her afloat until medics arrived. Unfortunately, they couldn’t save her in time.
Concerning the Medina incident, detectives are asking anyone with information to call the Homicide Squad at 631-852-6392 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will remain confidential.
