A 17-year-old boy who disappeared in the waters near the Texas City Dike after his makeshift raft began sinking has been found dead, ending a desperate overnight search that gripped the local community.
Nathan Lowery was enjoying a Saturday morning on the water with a friend when the raft they were riding started taking on water and sank. A Coast Guard crew responded to the emergency and managed to rescue Lowery’s companion, but Nathan could not be located. Search teams immediately launched an extensive effort to find the missing teen as the hours ticked by with no sign of him.
By the following day, the tragic outcome that many had feared was confirmed. Search and rescue volunteers from Texas EquuSearch, a well-known nonprofit organization that assists families in missing persons cases, helped coordinate the search operation. Officials confirmed that Nathan’s body was recovered from the water near the Texas City Dike the day after he went missing.
Tim Miller of Texas EquuSearch noted that neither of the two teens had been wearing life jackets at the time the raft began to sink — a detail that may have played a critical role in how the events unfolded. Authorities have not released further information on the official cause of death pending investigation.
The Lowery family, who shared photos of Nathan during the search, is now left to grieve the devastating loss of their son. Nathan was only 17 years old.
The Texas City Dike, a popular recreational spot that extends into Galveston Bay, attracts locals and visitors alike, particularly during warmer months. Water safety advocates continue to urge all boaters and swimmers — regardless of age or experience — to always wear properly fitted life jackets when on or near open water.
Authorities and community members alike are mourning the loss of a young life taken far too soon.
