Chuck and Charley Morris: Father-son duo 'feared dead' after kayaking on trip to Arkansas
OZARK, ARKANSAS: A father and his son went missing while kayaking on a spring break trip to Arkansas. Chuck Morris, 47, and his son Charley Morris, 20, vanished while kayaking near the Lost Bridge area of Beaver Lake on March 16, 2023. Charley's wife, Jennifer Thompson grew concerned when she found her husband and son had not returned as a storm was forecast for later that day.
She went out along with her younger daughter, Amelia, and their cat, to search for them. However, they ultimately had to seek the help of authorities after they found no signs of Chuck and Charley. Jennifer filed the missing report at around 4 pm on that day and now the father and son duo are feared dead.
READ MORE
Family of four who went missing in the OUTBACK after GPS error found after 2 days
Fears grow for missing sisters Daniella, 7, and Indiana, 5 as family pleads for local assistance
Who are Chuck and Charley Morris?
Chuck Morris is the percussionist for the Colorado jam band Lotus. The band had a career spanning more than twenty years. They are widely known for bringing electronic elements into the jam band genre, which is a type of rock music defined by improvisation. Lotus was formed at Goshen College in Indiana in 1998.
Most of the members of the group are split between Denver and Philadelphia today, but its fanbase is particularly strong in Colorado. Lotus played the first show of the season at Colorado's iconic Red Rocks Amphitheater in 2021. Just before Chuck's disappearance, the group had just finished a month of touring. They were set to go back on the road in a couple of weeks.
The band encouraged fans to donate to the GoFundMe campaign set up to help Chuck and Charley's family. "Please know how grateful our family is for all the outpouring of support," Chuck's wife Jenny Thompson said in an Instagram post to the band's account on Monday, March 20. "Please continue to hold my lovely husband and son in your hearts and prayers."
Charley is a student at Ohio Wesleyan University.
Status of the investigation
According to The Kansas City Star, "Authorities have found both kayaks, a jacket, and what could be a hat or glove in the area." Both men are still missing and as of March 21, a GoFundMe page for 'Jenny Thompson and Family' has raised $83,820 of a $150,000 goal.
"The Benton County Sheriff's Office and dive teams have been searching, but adverse weather and temperatures below freezing has hindered efforts", reported Fox28 News. Lotus said in an Instagram post that investigators no longer expect to find the two missing men alive.
"We were all hoping for a miracle, but at this point, the search for Chuck and Charley has moved to a recovery," the band said. "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."