The 14-year-old who went missing on Lake Ontario Saturday and was later found dead by searchers has been identified publicly by family members.
Malcolm Belgrave is being remembered as a loving son, brother, uncle and friend who will be “sadly missed by so many,” according to those closest to him.
In a statement, Belgrave’s mother thanked residents, first responders, searchers, friends at Cathedral High School, teammates at East Hamilton Soccer Club and fellow cadets from RCSCC Triumph.
Emergency services in Hamilton began looking for Belgrave after friends reported him missing during an excursion near Woodland Avenue and Beach Boulevard around 2:30 p.m. on July 29.
Police said the youth was on a flotation device that went underwater.
The search involved local police, fire, paramedics, coast guard, provincial police and members of the Canadian Air Force.
A team piloting drones from Mohawk College‘s Unmanned and Remote Sensing Innovation Centre (URSIC) also took part.
On Sunday search efforts continued, with no updates on either Monday or Tuesday.
Hamilton police announced late on Wednesday that the 14-year-old had been found dead.
Details on a memorial service for Belgrave have yet to be revealed.
A GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for the service has surpassed its $20,000 goal.
A spokesperson for the Regional Cadet Support Unit said the corps is “grieving with the community.”
“Our most sincere condolences are with the family and friends during this difficult time, and we are ensuring that support is available to members of the Cadet Program who may require it,” Public Affairs Officer Morgan Arnott said in an email.