Two adults—Jazzmin Hock and Sarah Vida, both 28—and 9-year-old Kayden Kovalcik have been missing since they were last seen tubing on the Muskegon River on Aug. 4. Their vehicles were found empty at the Maple Island Boat Launch on Aug. 5; one car had a broken window. Investigators recovered two inflatable tubes nearby and are examining footprints while search teams continue land and air operations with drone support. Authorities ask the public to avoid the area and urge anyone with information to contact the listed Michigan agencies.
Three People Missing After Tubing On Michigan’s Muskegon River
Search underway for three missing people on Michigan's Muskegon River, August 2026Credit: WWMT-TV
Three people—Jazzmin Hock, 28; Sarah Vida, 28; and 9-year-old Kayden Kovalcik—have been missing since they were last seen tubing on the Muskegon River on Aug. 4.
The Michigan State Police say officers were alerted on Aug. 5 after relatives could not reach the trio and discovered two vehicles parked at the Maple Island Boat Launch. The cars were found empty; one vehicle had a broken window.
Search teams located two inflatable tubes—described as pink and orange—near the launch site, and footprints at the scene are being investigated as part of the ongoing inquiry.
"I don't know if they're alive. I don't know if they were kidnapped," said Brent Kovalcik, Kayden's father and Sarah Vida's ex-husband, at a press briefing. "The last picture I got of my son was four days ago... That might be the last picture I ever get."
Multiple agencies are participating in coordinated searches by land and air, including the Michigan State Police, Muskegon County Sheriff's Office, Michigan DNR, local fire departments and other partners. Trooper Zach Murphy said investigators are awaiting additional information to broaden the search and are deploying drone assets and additional ground teams across Muskegon County and the Muskegon Game Area.
Authorities have asked the public to stay away from the search area to allow teams to work safely and effectively. Anyone who may have seen Jazzmin Hock, Sarah Vida, or Kayden Kovalcik, or who has information about the tubes, vehicles, footprints or other relevant details, is asked to contact the Michigan State Police Hart Post at 231-873-2171, the Newaygo County Sheriff's Office at 231-689-7303, or Newaygo Central Dispatch at 231-689-5288.
PEOPLE reported they reached out to Michigan State Police for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
Help us improve.
