Lotus band member, son feared dead after kayaking trip: ‘Hoping for a miracle’
A search is underway for percussionist Chuck Morris of the Denver band Lotus and his 20-year-old son Charley.
Morris, 47, and Charley went missing while kayaking in Arkansas and have not been seen since March 16, a Benton County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson told The Post on Wednesday.
The band’s Twitter account delivered the grave news on Wednesday, telling fans that their search and rescue effort is now being called a recovery mission, adding that a K-9 team has been deployed to help find them.
“We were all hoping for a miracle, but at this point, the search for Chuck & Charley has moved to a recovery,” the stark announcement read.
“With help from K9 teams, there is a probable location on the lake, but logistical challenges including temp, weather, and depth have prevented a recovery thus far,” the message continued.
The sheriff’s office told The Post that the father-and-son pair set out for the trip at around 11 a.m. on March 16 and were scheduled to return that same day at around 2 p.m.
A call was made to the police at around 4 p.m. by Morris’ wife, Jenny Thompson.
Officials found two kayaks in the water.
A coat also was found, according to a Colorado television station report.
Lotus’ bassist, Jesse Miller, said in a press release provided to The Post that some members of the five-piece outfit had spent over 20 years making music with Morris — and together “felt the joy of performing in front of thousands of fans and pains of
sleeping on floors and trying to repair a broken trailer in the middle of nowhere in a snowstorm.”
“It was a journey, and it wouldn’t have been the same without Chuck bringing his unique mind, energy, spirit and smile to it,” Miller concluded.
Drummer Mike Greenfield praised Morris’ musicality, detailing his “distinct personality” and “dynamic energy” that shined throughout his life and career.
“As a percussionist, comedian, computer programmer, family man, repairer of anything
that was broken, and of course as our beloved ‘wildcard’ — no one did it quite like him,” Greenfield said.
Jesse’s brother, guitarist and keyboardist Luke Miller, also honored Charley in his statement: “I was there when Jenny and Chuck brought Charley home from the hospital. And we saw him grow up to be an incredibly smart and talented young man.”
Lotus, which was originally formed in Indiana, has been described as an instrumental electronic jam band.
Their next performance was set to be on March 31 in Live Oak, Florida, according to their website.
Those close to the family are now urging fans to donate to Morris’ wife and their daughter Amelia, 12.
“Search efforts are still underway, and Jenny and family could use all the prayer you can muster,” the fund-raiser page reads. “They could also use financial support. Please help however you see fit.”
Thompson, whose family moved from Denver to Kansas City, Missouri, last year, told the Kansas City Star that Morris and Charley were lost on Beaver Lake in northwest Arkansas, where the family had rented a vacation home during Charley’s spring break from his studies at Ohio Wesleyan University.
“It was really just a chance for our family to come together and unplug,” Thompson told the newspaper. “Just enjoy each other and just reconnect.”
She also noted that winds had risen to 35 miles per hour while the two were out on the lake — dangerous conditions even for seasoned boaters.
Morris is a “loving father and partner” and Charley a “great friend who believes in doing what’s right, even if it doesn’t come with a reward,” according to Thompson.
“The outpouring of love that we have received from the outside community has been glorious,” Thompson said. “It’s been just really lovely … It’s a beautiful reminder of how strong and loving the human spirit is.”
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