Family and friends are mourning the loss of Lotus band member Charles Morris IV and his son Charles Morris V.
Three weeks after the pair were reported missing following a kayaking trip on Beaver Lake in Arkansas, the Benton County Sheriff's Office confirmed their bodies were recovered on April 9. As authorities noted, the development comes after they began daily rescue operations on March 16.
"After 24 days of recovery efforts, the bodies of both Charles Morris IV and Charles Morris V have been recovered thanks to the technology and efforts by all personnel," the sheriff's office said in a statement posted to their official Facebook page. "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."
Authorities concluded their statement with a heartbreaking message for grieving the loss of both Chuck, 47, and his son, Charley, 20.
"Our heart goes out the family of Chuck and Charley Morris," they added. "And we are thankful today that we can help bring closure."
In late March, Lotus released a statement on the status of the search effort for their percussionist and his son.
"We were all hoping for a miracle, but at this point, the search for Chuck and Charley has moved to a recovery," the electric jam band shared in a March 21 statement posted on their official Facebook page. "With help from the K9 team, there is a probable location on the lake, but logistical challenges including temperature, weather, and depth have prevented a recovery thus far. It is unknown how long these efforts may take."
The group continued, "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. Thank you to all who have reached out with fond words, stories, emotional and financial support."