Photo Gallery
Hundreds attend vigil in Port Washington for missing teen presumed dead
-
Keller Russell reports Video by 620wtmj.com
video -
Photo: Keller Russell Image by Keller Russell
-
Photo: Keller Russell Image by Keller Russell
-
PORT WASHINGTON - Rescue workers who have been searching Lake Michigan for a missing swimmer near Port Washington say they're now dealing with a recovery mission.
"I got a phone call telling me they couldn't find him," friend Abby Graf says.
Click on the picture to read more about this story. -
When Abby saw rescue boats swarming near Port Washington's North Beach Sunday afternoon, she knew it was serious.
Rescue crews were searching for her friend. The 15-year-old boy disappeared while swimming with a group of friends just north of the Port Washington harbor.
"A last day of summer swim at the beach and they went under and one didn't come back up," Abby's mother, Karen Graf says.
Click on the picture to read more about this story. -
Her daughter was supposed to be at the beach, too.
"I can't imagine getting that phone call," Karen says. "It's every parents' worst nightmare."
A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter circled the area by air while a handful of boats trolled the water for a good six hours.
Click on the picture to read more about this story. -
Friends of the victim clung to their loved ones in tears.
"My heart is just breaking for his parents," Karen says. "I can't even imagine."
As night fell, driver swept the water on foot as friends tried to understand how such a young life could be lost.
Click on the picture to read more about this story. -
"We're all freshmen," one friend says. "It supposed to be we're all happy, we're in high school. But I don't think that's going to be how it is this year."
The search was called off at about 8:30 Sunday night and will resume Monday.
Meanwhile, counselors will be at Port Washington High School Monday morning to help process students through this tragedy.
Click on the picture to read more about this story. -
Port Washington Fire Chief Mark Mitchell told TODAY'S TMJ4 the water search for 15-year-old Tyler Buczek has been suspended indefinitely.
-
Rescue workers who have been searching Lake Michigan for 15-year-old Tyler Buczek say they're dealing with a recovery mission.
-
According to Port Washington Fire Chief Mark Mitchell, around 18 divers were out there Monday looking for Buczek.
-
Photo: Nick Montes
-
Photo: Nick Montes
PORT WASHINGTON- TODAY'S TMJ4's Keller Russell reports that nearly 1,000 people gathered for a vigil for 15-year-old Tyler Buczek Monday night.
People filled a parking lot overlooking Lake Michigan where it is believed that Tyler Buczek drowned over the weekend.
Song, prayer and tears flowed as the community of Port Washington rallied around the teenager's family.
His mother and brother were seen holding each other at times.
Friends wore his favorite color, blue, to the candlelight vigil.
"We just want people to know when they see the blue ribbon to think of Tyler," explained Tyler's classmate Caitlin Schultz.
Those who know Tyler recall a boy with a big future.
Tyler worked at Mary Ann Voigt's dockside deli this summer, alongside his mom.
"He wanted to be the quarterback on his football team. He was valedictorian of his 8th grade class, he was student of the year, he won every science project there was to have," said Voigt.
"He was just incredible. You know, he was the kind of kid that you'd say someday he's going to be president. That's just the kind of kid he was."
Divers searched Lake Michigan for Tyler's body again on Monday. Low visibility and currents made it difficult for rescue crews.
As the time slips by, the community just prays the family will get to see their son one last time.
Tyler would have started his first day of high school Tuesday. Students plan to wear blue again in his honor.
Meanwhile authorities have indefinitely suspended their water search for his body.
This site uses Facebook comments to make it easier for you to contribute. If you see a comment you would like to flag for spam or abuse, click the "x" in the upper right of it. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use.