Search and rescue efforts intensified on Monday in the hopes of finding 7-year-old Hunter Slezak. Reportedly, the state helicopter hovered above Dauphin Island while boats and sonar were used to scan the waters below. The move comes a day after the U.S. Coast Guard announced that the search has been "indefinitely suspended."
Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch, however, vowed to locate Hunter Slezak, as reported by NBC 15:
"We will continue as long as we're able to continue. Right now, I don't plan on suspending anything until we find the boat and, more importantly, Hunter."
Hunter Slezak's mom says her heart is shattered, aunt says he was a sweet boy, always smiling
Hunter Slezak, his father Michael, and their family friend, Sam Wooley went fishing for shrimp in a cabin located on Pelican Bay on Friday. A GoFundMe initiated on the family's behalf revealed that it was Hunter's first time fishing and his father called his mother at around 3:30 to inform her that they would be an hour late because of how many fish they were catching.
However, the three never made it home. Michael Slezak, 40, and the owner of the 22-foot boat, 69-year-old Sam Wooley's bodies were recovered on Saturday, November 30. It was discovered in a field of debris not too far from the island. The local authorities will now execute the search, alongside the family and any volunteers.
"I did talk with a gentleman this afternoon who was familiar with the boat. He was familiar with Sam, the captain, and said that particular boat, the way it's built, doesn't have a lot of flotation qualities to it. So, if it snagged on something, it would capsize easily and go down," Burch said. "His belief knowing the design of that boat, he feels like the boat capsized for some reason, and that Hunter may be inside the cabin because it was cold and windy."
Per the New York Post, Hunter Slezak's mother, Megan Slezak, took to Facebook on Sunday to share her grievances:
"I just need the closure of having his body to bury. I didn’t think my heart could shatter anymore than this but not at least being able to find my son’s body is so incredibly painful. Momma hold your babies. They could be taken in a blink of an eye. This is THE WORST pain ever."
It remains unclear what happened to the boat, but per the outlet, the family confirmed that the three were involved in an accident. Per the GoFundMe page, Hunter Slezak was one of five kids and their only son. His aunt, Adrienne Migill, said, per The New York Post:
"Hunter was such a sweet boy. He just always had a smile on his face.”
Per WKRG News 5, she remarked that the family is "just trying to do what we can do to find him."
The Mobile County Sheriff’s Office had four search crews skim the water on Monday morning, to no avail. However, Burch vowed to exhaust all resources until Hunter Slezak's body was located:
"We do understand the mom wants her son recovered so she can say a proper goodbye."
He said, as reported by NBC 15:
"Pray for this family, they're going to need that strength through the holidays."
Burch also revealed that they don't know if Hunter Slezak was wearing a life jacket, even though it was legally mandated that he did.
In the wake of the tragedy, the family has initiated a GoFundMe page with the goal of raising $250,000. This far, with over 600 donations, the family has managed to raise over $50,000. The statement reads, in part:
"The Slezak family is grieving the loss of their husband and father, and their precious only son and brother. Michael and his wife, Megan, had plans to live a long and full life on their farm. Now, those plans have been derailed, and Megan is trying to pick up the pieces and ensure her daughters' needs are met for now and the future, all while grieving. We are raising funds to help the Slezak family cover all expenses, including funeral costs and the cost of living, during this incredibly difficult time. Any contribution, no matter how small, will be deeply appreciated. Thank you for your support."
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Michael Slezak served as a head baseball coach and math teacher of the seventh grade at Semmes Middle School. Scarborough Model Middle School also revealed that he was named the 2020-2021 teacher of the year, and was instrumental in coaching the school's basketball team to the finals.
The school said in a Facebook post that "Coach Slezak inspired our students to be better scholars, better athletes, and better individuals." It went on, noting that Through every lesson taught, every practice led, and every word of encouragement, he made an impact on our community."
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