LANSING — Two women and a child who went missing while tubing on Tuesday, Aug. 4 on the Muskegon River were found "alive and safe" Friday afternoon, Aug. 7, at about 4:36 p.m., Michigan State Police said.
Department of Natural Resources officers and a State Police K9 found Jazzmin Hock, 28, of Muskegon, Sarah Vida, 28, of Muskegon, and Vida's son Kayden Kovalcik, 9, in a heavily wooded area about three-quarters of a mile from Mill Iron Boat Launch, Wood TV reported citing Michigan State Police.
That's about 10 miles from the Maple Island Boat Launch in Newaygo County, where they entered the water.
Michigan State Police announced the three were missing on Aug. 5. They had found inflatable tubes and footprints associated with them in the days before they were found. They had been using orange and pink tubes.
"We are relieved to report that Jazman Hock, Sarah Vida, and Kayden Kovalcik have been located alive and safe. This is the outcome everyone involved had hoped for," MSP's Sixth District posted on X.
"It was truly remarkable to see so many highly trained professionals from multiple agencies come together by establishing a Unified Command, share resources, and work as one team toward a common goal. We also want to thank the public for their patience, cooperation, and the information provided throughout the search. Out of respect for the privacy of those involved, no additional information will be released at this time. Thank you to everyone who played a role in this effort. We are grateful that this search concluded with a positive outcome."
The search began after the father of one of the missing women discovered her vehicle at the Maple Island Boat Launch, located in Newaygo County northeast of Muskegon, with a window broken out, MSP Sixth District said on Aug. 6.
Family members had not been able to contact the three.
"We are incredibly grateful for the tireless efforts of the many law enforcement agencies, fire departments, emergency responders, search and rescue teams, and volunteers who dedicated countless hours to this search," MSP said in its statement. "A special thank you to the Michigan State Police (MSP) Hart Post, MSP Grand Rapids Post, MSP Marine Services Team, MSP K-9 Unit, MSP Aviation Unit, Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Law Enforcement Division, DNR Wildlife Division, Newaygo County Sheriff's Office, Muskegon County Sheriff's Office, Ottawa County Sheriff's Office, Norton Shores Police Department, Muskegon Police Department, Muskegon Township Police Department, Fruitport Township Police Department, Egelston Township Fire Department, Muskegon Township Fire Department, Moorland Township Fire Department, North Muskegon Fire Department, Fruitport Township Fire Department, Wright-Tallmadge Fire Department, Muskegon County Emergency Services, and the Kent, Muskegon, and Ottawa Counties search and rescue teams for their outstanding efforts."
Contact editor Susan Vela at [email protected] or 248-873-7044. Follow her on Twitter @susanvela. Jalen Williams, a contributor, is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: 3 people missing from Muskegon River tubing trip found alive and safe