Tourist found dead off Israeli coast named as University of Kentucky student

An American tourist whose body was found Monday morning washed up on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea after she went missing in a late-night swim on Saturday has been named as University of Kentucky student TeNiya Jones.

Jones, a 19-year-old biology major with a minor in Islamic studies, was on a weekend visit to Israel from Jordan, where she was enrolled in a seven-week exchange program. She was due to return home to Fort Myers, Florida, in a week.

A statement from the university said that Jones had disappeared off a beach at the Tel Aviv suburb of Bat Yam on Saturday. She had entered the water with two friends and was pulled in by currents.

Rescue forces, including divers, had been scouring the coast until her body washed up in Tel Aviv early Monday.

The university said Jones was part of a group of exchange students in the region to study Arabic. The school is sending a representative to Tel Aviv and is making travel arrangements for Jones’ mother and grandfather.

This is a communication regarding an accident involving one of our students who was abroad in the Middle East. Our thoughts and prayers are with the student’s family, friends & our other students traveling; we will keep you informed as this fluid situation continues to unfold. pic.twitter.com/7kRVTkAroh

— University of Kentucky (@universityofky) July 29, 2018

Jones’ mother, Tosha Thomas-Mora, was scheduled to travel to Israel on Monday.

Agencies contributed to this report.