The our bodies of two youngsters swept into the ocean at a Queens seashore final week have been recovered, the grieving household confirmed to The Publish Sunday.
“I known as the precinct this morning and I went down there and so they confirmed me footage. I do know for positive it’s him,” mentioned Ushell Chandler, whose 16-year-old son Elyjha Chandler was swept away at Jacob Riis Park within the Rockaways on June 21.
Elyjha’s physique was recovered at round 9 p.m. Saturday close to Seaside 114th Road, simply up the seashore from the place he disappeared over every week in the past alongside his lifelong buddy Christian Perkins, 17.
The morning after Elyjha’s physique was recovered, Christian’s was discovered close to the seashore at Seaside 149th Road.
Police haven’t but formally recognized the stays, The Publish confirmed, however the grieving dad mentioned he was sure his son had lastly been discovered.
“I noticed the photographs, I do know it’s him. Once I noticed the photographs, some tears got here to my eyes,” Chandler mentioned.
“It’s acquired to be a closed casket,” he mentioned, including that Elyjah’s mom had been despondent since studying the information.
“She is taking it very laborious.”
The kids had been standing in knee-high water with associates on the night of June 21 when a large wave slammed into them and dragged them out to sea.
“One of many boys instructed me when the water hit them, it was like a demon coming at them,” Elyjah’s dad beforehand instructed The Publish, including that his son couldn’t swim.
A bystander, who noticed the boys get struck by the wave and wrestle within the water, leaped into the surf however was unable to tug them to security.
Regardless of being terrified of the ocean, Elyjah — who would have been 17 on June 28 — had skipped basketball apply to hitch his associates on the seashore earlier than the tragedy struck.
The Coast Guard known as off the search days later after sweeping about 600 sq. miles of open ocean.
Chandler and his spouse had visited the seashore virtually every day for the reason that boys vanished to face in vigil within the hopes that their our bodies could be discovered.
Now that they’ve been recovered, Chandler mentioned he feels “a bit higher” understanding Elyjah’s dwelling.
“To me, it’s a small step ahead. I’m not going to get well from this,” Chandler mentioned.
“That was essential — me getting him again.”
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