• Hunter Slezak, 7, was last seen on Nov. 29 when he went out in a boat with his father Michael Slezak and family friend Sam Wooley in Alabama
• The remains of Michael and Wooley were found a day later, but authorities said that Hunter remained missing
• In a news release shared with PEOPLE on Monday, Dec. 16, the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office confirmed they suspended operations on Sunday, Dec. 15

Authorities announced they have ended the search for Hunter Slezak, the 7-year-old boy who was last seen nearly a month ago after going out in a boat in Alabama with his father and a family friend, who were later found dead.

In a news release shared with PEOPLE on Monday, Dec. 16, the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) confirmed they suspended operations on Sunday, Dec. 15.

“We exhausted all of our efforts on the water, in the air and with our divers,” said Sheriff Paul Burch in the news release. “It is our hope and prayer that the Slezak family will receive closure. We encourage anyone on the water and in the surrounding areas to contact us if anything is seen pertaining to Hunter’s case.”

In a previous press release, the U.S. Coast Guard said Hunter had been out in the water with his father, Michael Slezak, 40, and Sam Wooley, 69, after their boat left from the Billy Goat Hole Boat Ramp on Dauphin Island on Friday, Nov. 29.

That evening, “watchstanders from Coast Guard Sector Mobile received a report of an overdue vessel, the MARTY ANN, with three people on board,” the Coast Guard added. The boat was “last heard from on Friday afternoon.”

A day later, on Nov. 30, a Coast Guard crew discovered a debris field about 9 miles south of Dauphin Island. There, they found the remains of Wooley and the elder Slezak.

“We are deeply saddened and offer our sincerest condolences to the families, friends, and communities affected by this heartbreaking and tragic incident,” Capt. Robert Tucker, Coast Guard Sector Mobile, Deputy Commander, said in the news release, which was dated Sunday, Dec. 1.

According to Al.com, a service was held for the boy on Sunday, Dec. 15, at Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home.

“Hunter was full of sweet smiles, gave lots of hugs and exemplified happiness,” read a published obituary. “He watched out for others and was so kind. He loved his family, playing sports and being outside. He was so very loved and will be truly missed.”

In a Dec. 15 Facebook post, Megan Slezak, the wife of Michael Slezak and mother of Hunter, thanked all of those who searched for her son.

“These past two weeks have been an overwhelming nightmare, but I have also been overwhelmed with the support of friends, family and community,” she wrote. “Thank you to the thousands of people who have shown their support in so many different ways.”

“Thank you for the prayers, messages, calls, meals, flowers, gifts, monetary donations, those who organized and attended the candlelight vigils and funeral services,” she continued, “and everyone who tirelessly searched for my son by land, sea and air and those who provided resources to those searching. I wouldn’t have been able to handle these weeks without everyone.”

A GoFundMe established for the Slezak family in the wake of the tragedy has raised over $91,000 as of Dec. 16.

The MCSO also asked those with information related to the case to call 251-574-8633 or visit www.mobileso.com/crimetips and report anonymously.

Read the original article on People