The bodies of musician Chuck Morris and his son Charley were found this weekend in Arkansas nearly a month after the two men disappeared while on a kayaking trip.
The Benton County Sheriff’s Office announced on Facebook Sunday that a 24-day search for Morris, 47, and Charley, 20, led to the recovery of their bodies in the Lost Bridge Village area of Beaver Lake.
“Sheriff [Shawn] Holloway, along with Chuck and Charley’s family, would like to thank all the men and women who have donated their time and efforts to help bring closure to the family and the recovery of the two missing men,” the statement read.
In a separate statement on their GoFundMe page, the Morris family wrote that Charley’s death was ruled by drowning. Elder Morris’ cause of death has not yet been released.
Morris was the drummer for the Denver electronic band Lotus, while Charley was a student at Ohio Wesleyan University. The two have not been seen since March 16, when they went missing while on a spring trip to Beaver Lake with their family.
Five days after the two men went missing, Lotus confirmed on social media that the search had switched to a recovery effort.
“We were all hoping for a miracle, but at this point Chuck and Charley’s search has turned to a recovery,” the band wrote. “While we are deeply saddened, we plan to celebrate Chuck and Charley’s lives, our memories of them and what they meant to so many people. Thank you to everyone who sent us kind words, stories, emotional and financial support.”
Lotus plans to honor Morris and his son with two benefit concerts at Denver’s Fillmore Auditorium on April 21 and 22. Upcoming shows in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and Port Chester, New York will also benefit the family.
Calling themselves a “jamtronic” band, Lotus formed at Goshen College in Indiana in 1998, with Morris joining the group about three years later. Over the past 25 years, Lotus has released a total of 13 studio albums and live recordings. His latest album, Bloom & Recede, was released last year.
