Conneaut authorities recover body of missing 11-year-old boy from Lake Erie

Jordan Unger and Jack Shea

9 hours ago

***Watch previous coverage in the video above.***

CONNEAUT, Ohio (WJW) – After a day of searching, authorities say the body of an 11-year-old boy reported missing in Lake Erie has been found.

Search teams have been searching for Hunter, a suburban Akron boy, since he was swept away by a rip current while visiting the Conneaut Township park with his mother and a friend Friday afternoon.

In an update Tuesday evening, Conneaut police confirmed the boy's body had been found and taken to the Cuyahoga County medical examiner's office.

“Please keep Hunter’s family in your thoughts and prayers,” the department said.

A statement was read on behalf of the Hunter family at a Conneaut City Council meeting Monday evening, saying, in part, “words cannot express. He was a son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and just a caring and loving child.

The National Weather Service issued a warning about rip currents in the area Friday morning. The family said in a statement they were unaware of the warning.

“We suggest that more life jackets [are needed], awareness of countercurrents, knowledge of countercurrents for those who do not know the force of these waters,” the press release continues. “We don’t want any more victims to die in these tragic waters. Hunter will always be loved and missed.

A 15-year-old boy scout is now leading a campaign to improve water safety in the park.