A former Team USA triathlete and father of two has died after drowning during a family trip in New York.
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Spencer Korwin, 38, was reportedly enjoying a family getaway on Shelter Island when he ran into difficulty during a morning swim.
On Wednesday, September 2, Korwin entered the water off the dock at The Pridwin Hotel, where he and his family were staying.
When he failed to return several hours later, his wife alerted hotel staff, who contacted emergency services and launched a search.
Triathlete Dies During Family Trip to Shelter Island
At around 3 p.m. that same day, divers found Korwin's body following an hours-long search.
Authorities focused their efforts on the Crescent Beach-North Channel area and surrounding waterways before making the tragic discovery.
Shelter Island Police Department Det. Sgt. Jack Thilberg said authorities believe Korwin's death was accidental.
However, an investigation remains ongoing as officials work to determine exactly what happened in the moments leading up to his death.
Two Shelter Island Emergency Medical Services ambulances assisted with the search, alongside several EMS volunteers and marine and air units.
"There wasn't anything unusual," John Kirincic, a master mariner for the Southold Town Police Department's Marine One, told the Shelter Island Reporter. "There was no fog or anything bad."
Authorities Investigate Conditions Surrounding Drowning
Local residents also told the outlet that "it was an ordinary morning," adding to the questions surrounding what caused the experienced athlete to run into difficulty.
Preliminary findings placed low tide around the time Korwin entered the water.
However, investigators have not determined whether tides, currents or other water conditions played a role in his death.
Kirincic noted that currents in the area can typically be strong because of the narrow passage through which the tide flows.
Thilberg also explained that while authorities do not generally consider the area particularly hazardous for swimmers, open-water conditions can still present risks.
"However, these are open waters where tides, currents and boat traffic are always considerations," he said.
Korwin graduated from Syracuse University in 2010 before going on to compete for Team USA in triathlon. He had also been a Gatorade-sponsored athlete since 2012.
Korwin is survived by his wife and their two young daughters, Sadie, 4, and Colette, 1.
