Everett Freeman is remembered as a beautiful soul with a shy and sweet demeanor as well as a kind of silliness that was shared only with a lucky few. “Everett was such an amazing kid,” said Corey Freeman, Everett’s father. “He was one in a million.” Korey says their family of five is from Waterloo Region and moved to Seguin Township in Parry Sound about a month ago. Part of the reasoning behind the move was to give their children a chance to explore the outdoors. “Everybody loved him and he loved life,” Korey said. “He loved to laugh, he was so much fun, he was so much fun to hang out with and we will miss him so much.” Everett was reported missing Friday afternoon during a family camping trip on Huckleberry Island in Georgian Bay. “The kids were playing hide and seek,” Korey said. “Everett was playing with some of his younger cousins and the game kind of stopped and he left.” When they couldn’t find him, the Ontario Provincial Police were called and a massive search effort began. “The search was really overwhelming,” Korey said. “I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone involved. It was so many people. It was unbelievable. They pulled all the stops, a helicopter in the sky, people searching all night.” Everett’s body was found Saturday night. “The dive team came in to search the water and they found him near these rocks that he would have avoided,” Korey said. “It looked like he must have slipped and fallen in.” Police do not suspect foul play. Korey says Everett loved camping and was a careful kid, but he couldn’t swim. The family is currently awaiting an autopsy report. “His sister really feels it,” Korey said. “She was so close. She lost her big brother and her best friend, but she’s so brave and doing her best.” Everett previously attended Cedarbrae Public School in Waterloo. The Waterloo Region School Board says it usually offers mental health support to students and staff in these cases, but the summer break may affect that.
