Body of Missing Georgia Dad of 2 Found in Lake Lanier: 'Everything He Did Was for Us,' Daughter Says

The body of Walter Juarez Guardado, 37, was discovered two days after he fell off a jet ski, making him the 12th person to drown in the lake this year

The body of a father who went missing after he fell off a jet ski in a Georgia lake was recovered Monday, authorities said.

In a statement shared with PEOPLE, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said authorities were notified of a possible drowning Saturday at East Bank Park in Gwinnett County on Lake Lanier.

The department said that the victim, identified as Walter Juarez Guardado, 37, of Roswell, was riding a jet ski without wearing a life jacket, adding that he fell off the vehicle and swam to shore.

“A witness on shore stated that they believe the man swam back out to retrieve his [jet ski], went under, and didn’t resurface,” the DNR’s statement continued. ”Gwinnett County Fire Department searched using aviation and boat mounted sonar until dark. Game Wardens searched all day on Sunday using SONAR equipment, but the man was not located.”

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Guardado’s girlfriend had been looking for him Saturday evening but was unable to locate him, NBC affiliate WXIA-TV reported.

The search resumed Monday morning, said the DNR, and Guardado’s body was recovered from 20 feet of water around 12 p.m. local time.

Guardado’s family told ABC affiliate WSB-TV that the victim was the father of two girls. They described him as a family man who ran his own business.

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“He cares about family a lot,” Guardado’s oldest daughter, Angie Juarez, told the station. “He cares about his daughters and his mother. Everything he did was for us.”

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A GoFundMe was launched to pay for Guardado’s funeral expenses and provide financial assistance for his family. As of Wednesday morning, the fundraiser has generated over $15,000.

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“Walter was a loving father of two daughters, Angie and Valentina," read the GoFundMe description. “He was such an adventurous, athletic, and caring person. His family and friends meant the whole world to him.”

“Thank you all who showed their love and support during this difficult time of our lives. May God bless you and your loved ones.” PEOPLE has reached out to the GoFundMe organizer for comment.

Officials said Guardado is the 12th person to drown in the lake this year, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

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