Days after an 18-year-old vanished from a campsite in Texas, authorities say his body has been recovered.
The Georgetown Police Department said in a statement that Kenley Bommarito was last seen at the Sawyer Park campsite near Lake Georgetown around 10 p.m. local time on Friday, Nov. 28.
After several days of intensive searching, police announced on Tuesday, Dec. 2, that Bommarito’s body had been located.
“The Georgetown Police Department is deeply saddened to report that we have recovered the body of Kenley Bommarito from Lake Georgetown after being located by underwater sonar,” the department said. “We extend our deepest condolences to Kenley’s family and friends as they endure this unimaginable loss.”
Officials noted that the investigation into Bommarito’s exact cause and manner of death — as well as the circumstances leading up to the tragedy — is still underway.
“Because of the active nature of this investigation, we will not be making further comment at this time and we ask for your continued cooperation while we work through the investigation,” the statement continued.
On Monday, Dec. 1, Police Chief Cory Tschida said that Bommarito had left behind both his car and his cellphone, according to the Austin American-Statesman.
In a news release published the same day, authorities explained that while all available evidence suggested Bommarito had not left the area near the lake, multiple searches had initially failed to find him.
Detailing the search efforts, police said they deployed “canines, boats utilizing sonar and dive teams (multiple agency dive teams), helicopter using thermal devices, and trained volunteers from Texas Search and Rescue.”
At that time, investigators said they had not ruled out foul play but did not provide additional details.
Before her son’s body was discovered, Bommarito’s mother, Deanna Morris, told CBS affiliate KEYE that their family had been combing the park since he was reported missing on Saturday, Nov. 29. Bommarito had been camping with a friend when he disappeared.
“The friend reported him missing, and we drove here from San Angelo to come help find him,” she said. “We just want him home.”
According to The Dyrt, the campsites at Sawyer Park offer “a camping experience surrounded by flat terrain with scattered trees. Temperatures in the area typically range from 40°F in winter.” The site is only accessible by boat or by hiking, Fox affiliate KTBC reported.
