Coast Guard to Suspend Search for Teens Missing at Sea at Sunset
JUPITER, Fla., July 31 (UPI) — The U.S. Coast Guard said Friday it is calling off its search for two 14-year-old boys who went missing one week ago while boating off the coast of Florida.
Hundreds of people have searched more than 50,000 nautical miles since July 24 when Perry Cohen and Austin Stephanos went missing.
Coast Guard Capt. Mark Fedor announced Friday the search would be suspended at sunset Friday unless officials get any new leads in their search.
“So I do want to express my heartfelt condolences to the family. I met with them on Wednesday. Obviously they’re going through a traumatic time. I just want to express my heartfelt sympathy to them,” he said. “But I hope at some point in the future they (the families) can take solace from the fact that hundreds of people searched thousands of miles because we were desperately committed to find Austin and Perry.”
The families of the two boys said they will continue to conduct independent searches for them. They set up a fund to help pay for private aircraft and boat fuel for the search.
“Our families have been informed that the continued search and rescue efforts will be suspended at sunset this evening. We also have been ensured that the case is not closed and if pertinent details emerge or credible information comes forward that we will have the assistance of the U.S. Coast Guard to investigate this information,” a statement from the families said.
