Illinois man drowns at Atlantic Beach hours after sister's wedding

An Illinois man in town over the weekend for his sister's wedding has drowned in the ocean at Atlantic Beach.

Multiple news outlets report police say 38-year-old Robert Hickman Jr., of Champaign, Illinois, died Saturday after being pulled under by a wave, just hours after attending his younger sister's wedding in Jacksonville.

Police say the water was pretty rough that day, and a family friend tried to get out to Hickman but was not able to reach him. Hickman was unconscious when lifeguards got him out of the water. He was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Hickman's sister, Teleauba Rains, says she's grateful for the last moment she had with her brother before his death. A video of him speaking after Rains' wedding was posted online.