9-year-old Everett Freeman went camping with his family on Huckleberry Island in Georgian Bay and went missing around 3pm on Friday, August 12. After a 24-hour search, it ended in tragedy when Freeman’s body was recovered. “He was one in a million, he was so smart, so kind, so compassionate and so loving,” said Corey Freeman, Everett’s father. “We went there Thursday night and on Friday the kids were playing hide and seek. Everett was playing with some of his younger cousins, the game stopped and he left. He’s an introvert so sometimes he needed some space.” The OPP launched a major search effort, which lasted through the night into Saturday. Their search involved three dog units, air services, their marine unit and the underwater search and recovery team. Local fire departments and the Canadian Search and Rescue team also assisted in the search. “We’re so grateful, we’re so heartbroken, but so grateful that we had Everett for those nine years,” said a devastated Corey Freeman. The family said they don’t know how this could happen. Everett’s father, Corey Freeman, told CTV News that he is incredibly grateful to the police and everyone involved in the investigation. An outpouring of support and condolences has also flooded Freeman’s social media, for which he said he is forever grateful.
