A heartbroken Calumet City family and local leaders issued a plea to boaters Friday, asking them to be an "extra set of eyes and ears" and help locate a man who was last seen at a Northwest Indiana marina this past weekend.
Darius Hogans Jr., known as "DJ" was last seen leaving the Hammond, Indiana, marina on a boat Saturday evening, headed toward Chicago. Hogans' sister said she received a call from friends saying he fell off the boat.
"Please help me find my son," Deidra Hogans, his mother, said Friday as she pleaded for help at a news conference. "DJ, I love you."
Calumet City Mayor Thaddeus Jones, a friend of the family, said the city and its police department have made resources available to assist with search efforts.
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"We are hoping to find him alive, but we know whatever happens is in God’s will," Jones said.
A $1,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to Hogans' whereabouts.
Anyone with information is asked to call U.S. Coast Guard Station Chicago at 773-768-4093.
