A fisherman wading in the waters off a Texas beach felt something bump against his leg. At first, he didn’t know what it was. Moments later, he made a heartbreaking discovery.
On the morning of May 26, a fisherman alerted authorities after feeling what he described as “something” bump against his leg while wade fishing offshore. The discovery would later bring an end to a tragic search.
According to Surfside Beach Police Chief Phillip Hester, Officer Christopher Redmond responded to the scene, entered the water, and found the body of 10-year-old Joshua Lahai floating about 150 yards offshore.
The Texas boy disappeared while celebrating Memorial Day weekend at the beach with his youth football team, prompting an extensive search effort. According to reports, the 10-year-old was in the water when a large wave swept him away.
Joshua Lahai’s disappearance
Authorities launched a search almost immediately, and crews reportedly arrived at the beach within two minutes of receiving the emergency call. Rescue crews, law enforcement agencies, and volunteer organizations spent the next 24 hours searching the area despite difficult conditions. As the search continued, Joshua’s family was desperate for answers.
“We don’t know exactly what happened. I guess I just want that closure for my mom cause I know this is hard on her,” Peter Lahai told KTRK, according to Café Mom.
According to Texas EquuSearch, relatives witnessed Joshua’s disappearance. The uncertainty surrounding the search weighed heavily on the family.
“We would at least want to have that closure of, we have a body. That’s the worst, not knowing,” Peter Lahai shared, per KTRK.
Joshua’s family also questioned why the beach remained open while crews searched for the missing boy.
“We’re just trying to figure out what is going on,” Emmanuel Lahai said.
Fisherman felt something bump against his leg
The search came to a heartbreaking end when the fisherman reported his discovery. According to Hester, Officer Christopher Redmond was patrolling Beach Drive when he encountered the fisherman, who said he had felt “something” bump against his leg while fishing offshore.
Redmond immediately entered the water and discovered Joshua’s body floating about 150 yards from shore. He then brought the boy back to land. Hester said Joshua was found between a half-mile and three-quarters of a mile east of the location where he had been swept away by the wave. His family was subsequently notified.
“It was a challenge, but I didn’t think at all,” Redmond said during a news conference, according to Café Mom. “My job was to get the body in [and] bring closure to the family. Although it was a tragic day, at least he’s home.”
Officials said recovery efforts were complicated by strong currents and rough surf conditions. Hester also shared new details about the moments leading up to Joshua’s disappearance.
“From what the young man who was out there with him came to me and told me, they were out probably about the second or third sandbar and got lifted off the sandbar. When they came back down, they weren’t touching, panicked a little bit, and then the wave started crashing. Joshua went underneath,” he said.
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