He Went Fishing With His Little Brother… Only One of Them Made It Home

GALVESTON BAY, TEXAS — A heartbreaking search has come to an end after authorities recovered the body of 17-year-old Nathan Lowery, who disappeared during a fishing trip with his younger brother in Galveston Bay.

Nathan had been missing since Saturday morning, when the inflatable raft the brothers were using reportedly began to deflate and drift farther into the open water.

A Routine Fishing Trip Turned Into a Tragedy

According to officials, Nathan and his 16-year-old brother had gone fishing when they encountered trouble after their inflatable raft started losing air.

As the raft drifted into the bay, both teenagers found themselves in a life-threatening situation.

The U.S. Coast Guard responded to the emergency and successfully rescued Nathan’s younger brother. Despite an immediate search, Nathan could not be located.

Massive Two-Day Search

Over the next two days, rescue crews from multiple agencies searched tirelessly across Galveston Bay.

Boats, aircraft, drones, and specialized search teams worked around the clock, battling challenging conditions in hopes of finding the missing teenager alive.

Despite those efforts, officials later confirmed that Nathan’s body had been recovered, bringing the search to a devastating conclusion.

A Family Forever Changed

What began as a simple weekend fishing trip between two brothers ended in unimaginable loss.

While one brother survived thanks to the swift response of rescuers, the other never made it home—a reality that has left family members, friends, and the local community grieving.

Authorities have expressed their condolences to Nathan’s loved ones and thanked the many first responders and volunteers who participated in the extensive search operation.

A Reminder About Water Safety

The tragedy serves as a reminder of how quickly conditions on the water can change, particularly when using small or inflatable watercraft.

Officials encourage anyone heading onto bays, lakes, or coastal waters to wear properly fitted life jackets, monitor weather and water conditions, and ensure their equipment is in good working order before launching.

Nathan Lowery, 17, has been found after a two-day search
Inflatable raft reportedly began to deflate during a fishing trip
Multiple agencies joined the extensive search effort
One brother survived. One never came home.

As Nathan’s family begins the difficult journey of mourning, many are keeping his loved ones—especially his younger brother—in their thoughts during this incredibly painful time.