Hero teens final act of love after sister got into trouble while swimming off Miami beach

A heroic teenager saved his little sister from drowning before losing his own life to the rough waters of Florida in a final act of love.

Victor Castaneda Jr., 19, was with his little sister at South Pointe Park on Saturday - a beautiful space at the southern tip of Miami Beach that offers panoramic views of the South Beach shoreline, cruise ships, Downtown Miami skyline and Fisher Island.

But when the teen and his younger sister got into the water just as the sun was setting, they quickly got caught in an aggressive rip current - and 19-year-old Victor saved his sisters life before vanishing into the water himself, NBC Miami reported.

Before he was submerged, he threw my sister, because he told her they were going to die, and he threw her, and that was the last she saw of him, 34-year-old Jessica Castaneda, the teens older sister, told NBC Miami. So my brother died a hero.

Miami Beach Police responded to South Pointe Park at around 6pm on Saturday after receiving reports of two swimmers in distress. 

Victor Castaneda Jr., 19, drowned in a rip current after saving his younger sisters life early Saturday evening

The pair quickly got caught in an aggressive rip current - and 19-year-old Victor saved his sisters life before vanishing into the water himself and disappearing from sight

They had just gotten in the water, Jessica added. They became distressed and yelling for help. They were struggling for a long time.

He said his concerns to my sister while they were struggling, just trying to get out.

In a final act of love, Victor threw his sister - who remains unnamed - before two bystanders entered the water and successfully pulled the minor out and to safety.

But Victor had already submerged into the water and completely disappeared from sight when they looked back.

Miami Beach Police temporarily suspended their efforts after searching for the missing teen on Saturday and Sunday - but noted how there were still active drones searching for him, NBC Miami reported.

The younger sister was checked in to a hospital for treatment but is said to be uninjured and doing physically okay following her rescue.

Victors family have accepted that their loved one drowned, but are seeking closure and the recovery of his body.

Miami Beach Police responded to South Pointe Park at around 6pm on Saturday after receiving reports of two swimmers in distress

In a final act of love, Victor threw his sister - who remains unnamed - before two bystanders entered the water and successfully pulled the minor out and to safety

They say his body couldve traveled south and were just hoping somebody sees him out in the water, Jessica said. We just really want to bring him home. 

Jessica took to Facebook on Monday to ask those who are planning to be out on a boat to keep an eye out for her brother as well as asking the community to continue praying for his recovery.

My brother was the kindest person I know and hardworking, Jessica told NBC Miami. He was an amazing student. He had so many dreams. He was going to enlist in the Navy. 

She also posted a heartbreaking message to her Facebook followers on Tuesday where she wrote: The pain Im left with is insurmountable. My heart is completely and irreparably shattered. Your absence will never be accepted. No words could ever describe how much I love you Victor. 

I will miss you every second of every minute of every single day for the rest of my life, she added. 

I will dream of your smile and your infectious laugh until I find you in the next life, in every life I will find you. 

His family accepted that their loved one drowned, but died a hero - and they want to recover his body for closure 

Efforts to locate the missing teen were suspended after searching for him throughout Saturday and Sunday - but active drones are still searching 

This past June, the Florida waters claimed the lives of three young friends from Alabama while they swam in Panama Beach.

Harold Denzel Hunter, 25, Jemonda Ray, 24, and Marius Richardson, 24, were swept away by a rip current and killed just minutes after entering the water.

A teenager had died at the spot the previous evening but the young friends were desperate to get in the water after their long drive despite a single red flag warning of the danger.

Ten minutes later the first 911 call was made, but it was two hours before the men were found and taken to hospital where they were declared dead. 

Six people were killed in Florida rip currents over a 48-hour period in June of this year as well, including another 19-year-old swimmer who was in the waters of Panama City Beach, according to CBS Miami.