Missing Sailor Seamus Gray Was In Apparent 'Tragic Accident,' Mom Says

WAUKEGAN, IL — The mother of missing U.S. Navy sailor Seamus Gray says her son appears to have been in a "tragic accident."

Kerry Gray returned to Florida on Saturday, a week after the 21-year-old fireman recruit was last seen alive.

After heading from Naval Station Great Lakes to downtown Waukegan on the night of March 17, the missing sailor left a North Genesee Street bar early the next morning and was last seen on surveillance video near the the harbor, according to police.

Searches for the missing servicemember in and around Lake Michigan been unsuccessful as of Monday afternoon. In addition to police, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the U.S. Coast Guard and more than 100 sailors took part in last week's search, using drones, dogs and sonar, authorities said.

"Searchers are still out looking for his body," Gray said Sunday in a statement. "I have no other info right now other than we love him, are going to never be the same without him and he will NEVER be forgotten."

The prior eight days had been "grueling, nauseating, heartbreaking and quite honestly soul crushing," Gray said earlier. She thanked the community for support and asked for prayers for her son.

"I cannot sleep, and will not sleep until I have answers as to where my son is, and what happened to him," Gray said. "Seamus was assaulted outside of the establishment and was pickpocketed. He had one drink at that bar later that night and one earlier in the night."

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Gray said she and a friend had been searching through dumpsters and back alleys for signs of her son.

"My son was an exceptional young man willing to die serving and protecting his country," she said. "He should have been able to safely walk down a street no matter how Preppy he looked."

Seamus Gray was described as being 6 feet, 3 inches tall and about 170 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes.

He has tattoos on his rib cage and arm, and at the time he went missing, he was wearing a red hooded sweatshirt and red pants.

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The missing sailor's mother said how her son was dressed "should have no bearing on why someone would want to attack him." Gray said she hoped people would refrain from making vicious comments about him on social media.

"My son did nothing wrong. His name is not to be made fun of. His outfit choice isn’t to be made fun of," she said. "Just thank him for serving our Country and pray for him."

As of Monday afternoon, a GoFundMe online fundraiser had raised more than $45,000 on the Navy mom's behalf from more than 400 donations.

"I’m holding on by a thread because I’m it. I’m his ride or die, I’m his biggest advocate, I’m his detective, I’m his search and rescue team." Gray said.

"He knows, he’s watching, he knows I’m going to find him. He knows it will always be me because I have never given up on him and sure as hell won’t stop now," she added. "I got you, my baby boy, I will never stop looking for you. I live and breathe for you."

UPDATE: Body Of Missing Sailor Seamus Gray Found In Waukegan Harbor

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Earlier:

• Search For Missing Sailor Seamus Gray Shifts South Along Lake Michigan
• Missing Sailor Seamus Gray Went To Lakefront After Waukegan Bar: Video