The tragic fate of Jack Koch, a 19-year-old boater who went missing in Oyster Bay Harbor on May 15, 2023, has been confirmed by his family. His body was found by a fisherman in Lloyd Neck Harbor on May 22, 2023, after a weeklong search involving multiple agencies and volunteers.
What Happened to Jack Koch?
Jack Koch was a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison who loved sailing and fishing. He was on a 25-foot sailboat with an 18-year-old friend in Oyster Bay Harbor around 11:30 p.m. on May 15, when he fell overboard for unknown reasons. His friend tried to find him but was unsuccessful, so he called another friend who came to help with another boat. They then called 911 and reported the incident.
The U.S. Coast Guard and the Nassau County Police launched a massive search operation that spanned several days and nights. They used boats, helicopters, divers, sonar, and drones to comb the waters of Oyster Bay and the surrounding areas. They also received assistance from the NYPD Aviation Bureau, Oyster Bay constables, and members of the Bayville, Oyster Bay, and Centre Island fire departments. The search was hampered by poor weather conditions, strong currents, and low visibility.
How Was Jack Koch Found?
On May 22, around 6:30 p.m., a fisherman spotted a body floating in the water near Caumsett State Park in Lloyd Neck Harbor. He notified the authorities, who recovered the body and transported it to the Nassau County Medical Examiner’s Office for identification and evaluation. The family of Jack Koch confirmed that it was him through a statement released by a family friend.
Kate Koch, the mother of Jack Koch, said in the statement: “While our hearts are broken at the loss of Jack, we are relieved he has been returned to us and grateful for the outpouring of love, generosity, and support from our wonderful community. Jack was the most loyal, kind, and hardworking young man and we will hold him in our hearts forever.”1
How Did the Community React?
The news of Jack Koch’s disappearance and death shocked and saddened the community of Locust Valley, where he grew up and graduated from high school in 2022. He was described as a friendly, outgoing, and adventurous person who had a passion for sailing and fishing. He was also an avid lacrosse player and a member of the Locust Valley High School varsity team.
Many people expressed their condolences and prayers for his family on social media platforms. Some also shared their memories and photos of him. A GoFundMe page was set up by his friends to help his family with funeral expenses and other costs. It raised over $100,000 in less than a week.
A memorial service for Jack Koch was held on May 26 at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Cold Spring Harbor. Hundreds of people attended the service to pay their respects and honor his life. His family requested that donations be made to either The Nature Conservancy or The Ocean Conservancy in lieu of flowers.
Jack Koch is survived by his parents, Kate and John Koch; his sister, Caroline Koch; his grandparents; and many other relatives and friends.