Rescue crews pulled the body of a 20-year-old college student from the Potomac River on Monday, ending a days-long search that began after witnesses watched him disappear beneath the surface on a Sunday evening swim.
Bell had been swimming with a group of friends near Sandy Landing in the Potomac River when he ran into trouble, according to Piringer. Rescue crews responded right away, conducting searches by land, boat and air around his last known location just south of Sandy Landing. Despite their efforts, the search turned up nothing and was suspended until daylight the following morning.
Bell's family kept a vigil near the riverbank throughout the search, waiting alongside rescuers for any word. His body was recovered Monday afternoon, near the Great Falls and Old Anglers Inn area. Piringer said in a June 16 post that family members had remained nearby throughout the operation.
His father, Jamal Smith, remembered his son as someone who stood out for all the right reasons. "Nazir was a great son, a great young man. A rising senior at Towson. Great grades, just overall a great kid. You couldn't ask for a better son," Smith said.
Bell grew up in Germantown and graduated from Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School. His family said he loved reading and learning new languages and would go out of his way to help anyone around him.
Towson University released a statement mourning his loss. "The TU community is heartbroken by the loss of student Nazir Bell and we join his family, friends and loved ones in the mourning of his tragic passing," the university said.
Authorities said the circumstances surrounding Bell's death remain under investigation.