Draper community in mourning, shocked by death of 22-year-old man found in Florida waters

DRAPER, Utah (KUTV) — The Draper community is in mourning following the death of a 22-year-old man found in Florida waters.

People who knew Max Roberts said he was an incredible person from a highly-loved family. Neighbors said Roberts and his entire family are incredible people and said they want to help the family in any way they can.

“If there’s a family you want to get to know, it’s the Roberts,” said Kevin Linkous, who lives across the street from the Roberts’ family.

Neighbors living near the Roberts are stepping in and taking care of their house while the rest of the family heads to Florida. Linkous and his family decided to take care of the Roberts’ yard, adding that the Roberts would be helping any other family if needed.

He said Roberts was always a sweet kid.

MORE: Body of missing 22-year-old Utah diver recovered off Florida coast

“You’d fall in love with him in just a second. Beautiful smile. Very... very gregarious kid,” he said.

Investigators in Florida said Roberts frequently spent the summers in Vero Beach with family.

Martin County Chief Deputy John Budensiek said Roberts was with three other people free-diving and spearfishing about two and a half miles off the coast.

According to Budensiek, Roberts went down, but never came up, and no one is certain why he never resurfaced for air.

“Unfortunately, [crews] found our victim deceased in about 55 feet of water," Budensiek said.

A Medical Examiner will have to determine exactly what happened to Roberts under the water, but there doesn’t appear to be any trauma.

Meanwhile, neighbors like Linkous said the whole neighborhood is dealing with the shock of what happened.

Neighbors said there were seven Roberts’ boys in the family, who have been described as “incredible young men.” One neighbor said the joke around the neighborhood was that everyone had a favorite Roberts’ son, almost like having a favorite Jonas Brother.