Surfside search: 17-year-old swimmer missing in Brazoria County
SURFSIDE, Texas - The search is continuing for 17-year-old Henry Murillo who went underwater at Surfside Beach on Saturday, and he's been missing ever since.
Henry is from North Houston. He and his family were staying in Surfside for the final weekend of Spring Break and had been at the beach Saturday since noon. They were about to leave for the day just before 5 p.m. and Henry said he wanted to go into the water one more time. His little brother, Jorge, followed him into the water, but Jorge thought they were getting too far from shore.
SUGGESTED: Houston family beats up Uber/Lyft driver after driver hit toddler with vehicle
"At one point, I stopped, and I told him to come back. At that point, he couldn't even feel the sand anymore, and then he said, "I'm drowning. Come help me." I couldn't feel the sand under my feet no more either. I tried to grab my brother's hand, but a big wave came and separated us. I feel like I'm broken right now," says Henry's little brother, 13-year-old Jorge Medina.
Using drones, helicopters and boats, the U.S. Coast Guard, law enforcement and dozens of volunteers, including from Texas Equusearch, have been searching for the missing 17-year-old.
"We have children of our own. We couldn't imagine missing a child and not having any answers. So that's one of the main reasons we come out to help," says Lindsie Yearsin, who owns Hooked On Tackle shop in Surfside with her husband, William Yearsin. They've been searching the shoreline and putting their drones in the air trying to help find the missing 17-year-old who attends Davis High School in Aldine ISD.
Crews search for a missing swimmer Monday morning.
"I mean we were one of the first people out here before anybody else showed up. I put them in the air in the vicinity. I just started trying to see if I could find him," says Mr. Yearsin.
"My heart goes out to the family," explains Surfside Beach Police Department Chief William Moncier, who says there were harsh red flag conditions Saturday when the teen went under and the choppy water hasn't gotten any better.
"Our conditions right now are, our beach is unforgiving. We have strong rip currents again today with strong winds," the chief adds, and he says this is no longer considered a rescue, but a recovery mission. But Henry's mom is holding on to hope her son will be found alive.
"When this happened I was screaming for help like crazy. I was asking God why would he do this to me," cries Henry's mom, Rubi Romero.
Crews were searching Monday near Surfside Beach for a 17-year-old swimmer who went missing in Brazoria County over the weekend.
The teen was reported missing around 4:45 p.m. Saturday.
Texas Equusearch and the Coast Guard are assisting the Surfside Police Department and the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office with the search.
Authorities have not released the teen’s identity or a description of who they are searching for.
This is a developing story. It will be updated as we receive more information.