Vigil held for teen missing in Lake Michigan in Port Washington
PORT WASHINGTON -- A vigil was held Monday night for 15-year-old Tyler Buczek, as search crews spent Labor Day searching Lake Michigan in what they called a "recovery effort." Buczek disappeared while swimming with friends in Port Washington Sunday afternoon.
Crews searched Lake Michigan Monday until nightfall. Officials said Monday evening Monday would be the last day in the large-scale search effort, though police will patrol the shoreline in the hopes of recovering the body.
Buczek was the quarterback for the Port Washington High School's freshman football team. Friends say he was valedictorian for last year's eighth-grade class at Thomas Jefferson Middle School.
Hundreds filled Upper Lake Park Monday night, holding candles and one another. This, following two days of searching Lake Michigan. Now, that large-scale search effort has come to an end, and the community must come to terms with the grim reality.
"It's a real small community and everyone knows one another. It's just tough and my heart goes out to them," Port Washington Fire Chief Mark Mitchell said.
In a news conference Monday morning, September 3rd, officials say boats, divers and crews from Port Washington, Ozaukee County, Mequon, Thiensville and Cedarburg were scouring the coast for Buczek's body.
Divers searched locations Monday where sonar had hits on Sunday. However, the visibility is extremely low because of the rough water conditions.
"There is no visibility. The divers are going strictly on touch we've had," Mitchell said.
Divers walked in a chain near the shoreline late Monday, sweeping a shallow part of the lakeshore, as boats with sonar looked for other places to search.
Ultimately, weather, time and exhaustion took its toll on search efforts, and the large-scale effort was suspended indefinitely.
Port Washington High School opened its doors Monday for those who needed to talk with counselors or each other.
Monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for updates on this developing story.
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