TORREY PINES -- While the Coast Guard suspended the search for a swimmer who disappeared at Torrey Pines State Beach over the weekend after trying to save his girlfriend, the swimmer's friends and family are holding out hope for his return.

The incident occurred Saturday after a witness called for help after observing two people having trouble in the water.

San Diego Lifeguards said they believe the man, identified as 18-year-old Troy Le, tried to save his girlfriend, identified as Jessica Eung, after she was pulled under the water by a rip current.

A State Park Ranger jumped in the water and found Eung submerged several feet under water, according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department. The Eung received CPR on the beach and was taken to Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla.

A dive team from Del Mar and a San Diego Fire-Rescue helicopter helped search for Le until the sun went down. The search was called off because it would be too dangerous for crews to search in the dark.

Crews continued the search Sunday 7 a.m. but called off the search Sunday afternoon.

On Monday, friends and family members gathered at the beach to pray for Le's return.

"His friends said he would've done the same thing for a stranger," said Le's sister, Mary.

The group dropped daisies into the ocean, and Le's father prayed as he clutched his son's shirt.

Le's friend, Hoa Nguyen, told 10News, "We're here waiting for Troy. We feel he's going to come back to us."

Friends said they would write a letter and burn it, hoping the ashes will find their way to him.