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According to weather.com, the NWS had issued a beach hazards statement for Eastern Carolina beaches during the time that Lapenta was swimming meaning that there were allegedly rip currents and swells between 4 to 7 feet.

Lapenta had worked for the NWS since 2008 but previously spent 20 years working at NASA where he worked as the Deputy manager of the Science and Exploration Research Office which was responsible for all research and development activities related to space science, earth science and space optics, according to his NWS biography.

Lapenta’s death was the second one in the area this week after a 75-year-old man died just two days before while swimming off the coast of Hatteras Village without wearing a flotation device, according to OBX Today.

Originally from Nyack, New York, Lapenta leaves behind his wife Cathy and two adult children.

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