We always hope for a better ending in a missing persons case, but tragically that is not how this one played out. The bodies of a father and son duo were found in Arkansas after the pair went missing during a spring break trip. They went out kayaking and never returned.
Chuck Morris and son Charley were eager to kayak Beaver Lake on March 16 of this year. This was the last time they were seen alive. On Sunday, April 9, the Benton County Sheriff's Office confirmed that their bodies had been found after 24 days of searching.
“On March 16, 2023 the Benton County Sheriff’s Office began search efforts for two missing kayakers in the area of S. Lost Bridge Village of Beaver Lake. Major Kenneth Paul led the search efforts utilizing many resources from across the nation and organized the daily operations of these efforts. Yesterday, efforts were combined with Carroll County MDS and Christian Aid Ministries Search and Rescue Team (CAM SAR) out of Tennessee. They were able to utilize their Underwater ROV in a challenging environment that exceeded depths of 180’,” the sheriff's office shared in a Facebook post.
“After 24 days of recovery efforts, the bodies of both Charles Morris IV (Chuck-Father) and Charles Morris V (Charley-son) have been recovered thanks to the technology and efforts by all personnel. Sheriff Holloway, along with the family of Chuck and Charley, would like to thank all the men and women who donated their time and efforts to help bring closure to the family and recover the two missing men. Our heart goes out the family of Chuck and Charley Morris and we are thankful today that we can help bring closure,” the post concludes.
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Chuck was best known as a percussionist for the band Lotus. Charley was just 20 years old. The family was prepared for this outcome. Five days after the pair went missing, the family released a statement saying the case had evolved from search and rescue to a recovery effort.
The family said that all parties involved now "are in agreement as to the fate and probable location of Chuck and Charley. The weather and other elements created a perfect storm on the lake, and in the lake, that was unsurvivable.” It was not the outcome they'd hoped for.
"As a family, we are deeply grieving but have been heartened by all the love and tributes that have been sent our way for Chuck and Charley," the family went on to say. They asked people to "continue supporting the Lotus community that was Chuck's passion, and the Ohio Wesleyan University community that Charley dearly loved." These would be the best ways to honor their memories.
Mother and wife Jennifer Thompson spoke to ABC News about this tragic affair. She confirmed that the family was on a spring break vacation. Chuck had just gotten home from a tour, and Charley was on break from college.
Chuck and Charley went kayaking on March 16 because a big storm was coming and they wanted to get some time on the water before it got bad. Jennifer and their 12-year-old daughter opted to go into town instead. At first when the kayakers didn’t come home, she thought they were just having a great time. After more time passed, she got worried and went to the lake to investigate. When she could not find them, she called the police.
"What saved me from the beginning of this is that they died together; they were together,” Jennifer said.
Lotus will play four benefit concerts in honor of Chuck and Charley. "These special concerts will celebrate the lives of Chuck and Charley with 100% of the net proceeds going directly to the Morris family,” the band said. “We were all hoping for a miracle. While we are deeply grieving, we plan to celebrate Chuck and Charley's lives, our memories with them, and what they meant to so many people.”
