The U. S. Coast Guard has called off the search for Hunter Slezak, a 7-year-old boy who went missing in the Gulf of Mexico after a boat accident that resulted in the deaths of two adults. The boat, known as the Marty Ann, was last heard from on November 29 before it disintegrated under mysterious circumstances during a family outing. Coast Guard crews covered more than 2,042 square miles in their search efforts but found no trace of the boy.

On December 1, the search was officially suspended, despite the vast area searched, which exceeded the size of Delaware. The deceased were identified as Sam Wooley, 69, and Michael Slezak, 40, who were also aboard the boat. Hunter's mother, Meg Slezak, has pleaded for the community's help in continuing the search, expressing her anguish over the uncertainty of her son's fate. The Coast Guard has yet to provide any insights into the cause of the boat's disintegration. This tragic incident has raised significant concerns and highlighted the risks associated with boating in the Gulf.