Anguish for Alabama mom after husband dies and son, 7, is presumed dead after boating accident
An Alabama mother is grieving the loss of her husband and likely her son, both of whom went out on a boat to go shrimping and never came back.
Michael Slezak, 40, his seven-year-old son Hunter and avid fisherman Sam Wooley, 69, were onboard a 22-foot vessel that left from Dauphin Island, a small piece of land off the coast of Alabama.
Megan Slezak, Michael's wife and mother to his five children including Hunter, was last in contact with the boat at 3:30pm on Friday. Apparently, the group wanted to stay another hour because they were catching so much shrimp.
According to the US Coast Guard, the three individuals and their boat, 'Marty Ann' went missing around 7pm that night.
On Saturday afternoon, the Coast Guard found the wreckage of the boat nine miles south of Dauphin Island. It came after they searched by air and sea for 65.2 combined hours and covering more than 2,042 square miles, roughly equal to the size of Delaware.
Searchers also found the bodies of Michael and Sam in this location. Hunter was not found but is presumed dead.
After the heartbreaking discovery was made, the Coast Guard announced Sunday it would suspend the search for Hunter.
'We are deeply saddened and offer our sincerest condolences to the families, friends, and communities affected by this heartbreaking and tragic incident,' said Captain Robert Tucker, Coast Guard Sector Mobile, Deputy Commander.
Michael Slezak, 40, was found dead in the debris field of the 22-foot 'Marty Ann,' after he went out on a shrimping trip
Hunter Slezak, 7, is Michael's son. He was on the boat with his father and is presumed dead, though his body hasn't been found by the US Coast Guard
Megan Slezak is pictured with her son Hunter. Megan wasn't on the boat trip
'Suspending an active search for a missing child is an exceptionally difficult decision and is only made after the most exhaustive efforts have occurred. We thank all the search and rescue crews who worked with determination around the clock with hopes of a different outcome.'
Before the search was suspended, Megan took to Facebook Sunday and begged anyone who had boats or planes to assist in the search for her son.
'I just need the closure of having his body to bury. I didn't think my heart could shatter any more than this but not at least being able to find my son's body is so incredibly painful,' Megan wrote. 'This is THE WORST pain ever.'
Her sister, Adrienne Magill, started a GoFundMe for the grieving family to cover funeral costs and other expenses. Megan has four other daughters.
Magill revealed that Michael and Megan lived on a farm and planned 'to live a long and full life.'
The fundraiser has raked in more than $33,000 toward a $250,000 goal as of late Monday afternoon.
Michael is also being mourned by students and faculty at Semmes Middle School in Mobile County, Alabama, where he was a teacher and baseball coach.
'Coach Michael Slezak was a beloved teacher and coach who touched so many lives with kindness, wisdom, and dedication,' the school wrote on social media.
Michael is pictured in a Semmes Middle School baseball uniform. He was a coach and teacher at the Alabama school
Michael is pictured with his wife, four daughters and son, Hunter
Sam Wooley, 69, was the third victim aboard the capsized ship. He was an avid fisherman and shrimper
'Coach Slezak inspired our students to be better scholars, better athletes, and better individuals. Through every lesson taught, every practice led, and every word of encouragement, he made an impact on our community.'
Jared Robinson, a childhood friend of Michael's, was one of the people who answered his wife's pleas for help in searching for her loved ones, WKRG reported.
'I know he would’ve done the same thing for me,' Robinson said. 'Michael is as good as they come. He would do anything for you, didn't have any enemies, always a smile on his face. Always a good friend.'
Robinson called his friend Blake Buxton who has a boat and they went out looking.
'We got two numbers from the Coast Guard. So, we started about eight miles south and then ran out another 10 miles past that,' Buxton said. 'So, we just started grid searching from there and then on our way back we swung by Pelican Bay again and back through the jetties.'
