July 14, 2017
Jeff Guaracino/via Facebook
The body of Todd McKee, who had gone missing in Rehoboth Beach on July 8, was discovered early Friday morning on a beach in the shore town, according to a Facebook post by his partner, Jeff Guaracino, president and CEO of the Wawa Welcome America celebration.
Todd J. McKee, the man who went missing last Saturday, was found dead Friday on a Delaware beach.
Police had issued a Gold Alert earlier this week for the 50-year-old McKee, who is the partner of Jeff Guaracino, who runs Philadelphia's Fourth of July festivities. McKee vanished after leaving his home in the South Boardwalk District of Rehoboth Beach around 10:15 p.m. on July 8, city officials said in a news release Tuesday.
Guaracino, president and CEO of Wawa Welcome America, the annual Fourth of July celebration and concert along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, shared a statement Friday on Facebook on behalf of himself and McKee's family.
"We are devastated by the news that the body of our beloved partner, son, brother and friend Todd was found on a beach this morning," it read. "As we mourn the loss of this beautiful and kind man, we want to thank the Rehoboth Beach police, city and state officials, and the community he so loved and adopted as his home, for helping to bring Todd back to us."
At about 5:45 a.m. Friday, police responded to a report of a body in the surf north of Rehoboth Beach, according to a report by the Cape Gazette. Officials removed the body and are set to conduct an autopsy.
Police do not suspect foul play, Lt. Jaime Riddle of the Rehoboth Beach Police Department told the Gazette.
"We would also like to thank everyone who has reached out to support us during this difficult week," the family's statement read. "We ask for your continued prayers to give us strength as we grieve."
Guaracino took to Facebook over the last several days to post and share updates on the investigation.
On Wednesday, he asked people to keep McKee in their hearts, thoughts and prayers.
"I am so grateful to everyone for their support and friendship," he wrote in a post. "Todd is missing and our hearts ache until we hear from him."
