05/26/2026
UPDATE: The body of 11-year-old Joshua Lahai has been recovered after a massive multi-day search at Surfside Beach.
Texas EquuSearch founder Tim Miller confirmed Joshua was found Tuesday around 1:30 p.m. near Oyster Street and Beach Drive along the coastline.
According to Surfside police, a fisherman in the water felt something brush against him and flagged down an officer nearby. That officer immediately jumped into the water and recovered Joshua’s body.
“My job was to get the body in, bring closure to the family,” the officer said.
Joshua disappeared Sunday evening while swimming offshore with another child. Authorities say a large wave pulled him underwater, and he never resurfaced.
Dozens of search crews from Texas EquuSearch, Surfside PD, Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Coast Guard spent more than two days searching by air, boat, drone, and shoreline.