On August 3, 2022 the family of 36 year old Curtis Herron and 36 year old Dexter Sain reported them missing after not hearing from them after they launched their boat from the East Chicago Marina on July 27, 2022.
According to video footage obtained from the East Chicago Marina, the missing boaters arrived at the East Chicago Marina on Tuesday July 26, 2022 and their boat was launched by Marina personnel at 3:00 PM. The boat which is a white 30ft Bay Liner Ciera with black trim was seen on surveillance footage pulling up to Pier D, where it stayed for a couple of hours. The boat is then seen pulling up to Pier C which is the gas dock. The boat stayed docked at Pier C overnight and left the following morning on Wednesday July 27, 2022 at approximately 8:28 AM. The boat is seen headed north toward Illinois and then it left the view of the marina surveillance cameras.
The boaters called for a private tow on Wednesday July 27, 2022 at approximately 10:15 AM, due to some electrical issues. The missing boaters and the private company discussed pricing for towing the boat and the missing boaters declined their services. The tow company provided the missing boaters with the phone number to Lake County Sheriff Marine Unit in case they needed further assistance, but no phone call was placed to the Lake County Sheriff Marine Unit by the missing boaters.
The last location the missing boaters gave was approximately 1 mile away from Inland Steel, which is now Cleveland Cliff Steel. The Lake County Sheriff Marine Unit went out to search for the missing boaters once they were notified that the boaters were reported missing on Friday July 29, 2022. The United States Coast Guard was also notified about the missing boaters. Once the Coast Guard was notified a broadcast was put out to all boaters to be on the lookout for the missing boaters.
Multiple agencies are working together in the search for the missing boaters to include The United States Coast Guard, Department of Natural Resources, F.B.I., Chicago Police Department Marine Unit and the Lake County Sheriff Department Marine Unit. All marinas and inlets in Indiana and Illinois have been searched and there have been no signs of the boat or any signs of a crash site. The boaters and their boat are currently still missing. The search for the missing boaters will continue.
The East Chicago Police Department Criminal Investigation Division is currently investigating the case as a missing person’s case. If anyone knows the whereabouts of the missing boaters they should call Detective Miguel Pena at 219-391-8318 or email him at mpena@eastchicago.com. If you wish to remain anonymous you can call our anonymous tip line at 219-391-8500.
