SC National Guard sergeant disappears while casing

Authorities in South Carolina continue to search for a National Guard sergeant who disappeared while tubing at a lake over Memorial Day weekend.

The victim was identified as National Guard Staff Sgt. Porsha Griffin, NBC affiliate WYFF, Fox affiliate WHNS and NBC affiliate WIS reported.

Griffin was tubing behind a boat on Lake Greenwood without a life jacket on Saturday, May 25, and did not resurface, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) posted on X (formerly known as Twitter). They added that authorities intervened the same day and divers were dispatched.

According to WHNS, Griffin went tubing with three other people, with authorities confirming to the outlet that the others were safe.

On Friday, May 31, SCDNR provided an update on the ongoing search, posting on »

“Over the past few days, we have also flown our aircraft to assist in surface searches and brought in cadaver dogs,” the department added. “Recovery efforts began Saturday afternoon following an incident in which a woman collapsed after suffering a tube. Our priority remains bringing closure to her family.”

SCDNR and the South Carolina National Guard did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's requests for comment.

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Griffin's commander, Col. Linda Riedel, said in a statement obtained by WIS that the South Carolina National Guard was “saddened beyond words.”

“We will continue to pray that her search brings answers to all who care about her, as well as peace for her daughter and her extended family,” she added.

Amicka Griffin, Porsha's mother, told WHNS she was “hysterically shocked” when authorities told her her daughter was missing. “It’s been a lot to take in,” she added.

Porsha, who is also the mother of a 9-year-old daughter, had just graduated from nursing school in December, according to the outlet.

Her mother added: “She was that supportive person [that you] we could call on anything.”