Authorities in Alabama are racing against time to find 7-year-old Hunter Slezak, who went missing after a tragic boating accident near Dauphin Island on Friday. The little boy was on his first shrimping trip in Pelican Bay with his dad, Michael Slezak, and a family friend, Sam Wooley, when disaster struck.
The Coast Guard found the bodies of Michael, 40, and Sam, 69, on Saturday in a debris field about nine miles south of the island. Sadly, there’s still no sign of Hunter. Over the weekend, the Coast Guard led an intense search spanning 65 hours and covering over 2,000 square miles but called off their efforts on Sunday. Now, the responsibility to find Hunter lies with local authorities, volunteers, and the boy’s devastated family.
Hunter’s grieving mother, Megan Slezak, shared her heartbreak on Facebook, saying, “I just need the closure of having his body to bury. Not being able to find my son’s body is so incredibly painful.”
The family believes the accident happened when the 22-foot boat capsized, but the exact cause is still unclear. Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch suspects Hunter could be inside the boat’s cabin, which hasn’t been recovered yet. Speaking during a news conference, Burch promised to use all available resources to help the family. “We understand the mom wants her son recovered so she can say a proper goodbye,” he said.
Meanwhile, family members, volunteers, and authorities are doing everything they can. While law enforcement is searching the water, loved ones are combing the shoreline, hoping for any sign of Hunter. “Hunter was such a sweet boy,” his aunt, Adrienne Migill, shared. “He always had a smile on his face.”
Michael Slezak, a beloved teacher and coach at a local middle school, had called Megan around 3:30 p.m. Friday to tell her they were staying out longer because they were catching so many shrimp. That would be the last time she’d hear his voice. Michael leaves behind Megan and their four daughters, who are now navigating an unimaginable loss.
The family’s GoFundMe page describes their heartbreak: “The Slezak family is grieving the loss of their husband, father, and their precious only son and brother. Michael and Megan had plans for a long and full life on their farm. Now, Megan is trying to pick up the pieces while ensuring her daughters’ needs are met.”
Capt. Robert Tucker of Coast Guard Sector Mobile expressed deep condolences, saying, “Suspending an active search for a missing child is an exceptionally difficult decision and is only made after the most exhaustive efforts have occurred.”
The community is rallying behind the Slezak family during this tragic time, and the search for little Hunter continues with hope and determination.
This time of year the search should be down toward what us fishermen call the passes off Venis La.thats where one of my friends found one of the babies throwed off the D.I.bridge.just trying to help the search.