Coast Guard officials have found the bodies of three Houston-area men who went missing while duck hunting off the Texas Gulf Coast.
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Authorities were able to recover and identify the bodies of Starett Burke, 25, Spencer Hall, 19, and Chris Ruckman, 18. According to reports, the three men set off from Carancahua Bay between Lavaca and Palacios early Friday morning. When they did not return as expected, Ruckman's girlfriend called the Coast Guard.
Following the call, extensive search and rescue efforts were underway. The Coast Guard, the Texas Parks and Wildlife, and Calhoun County Sheriff's Department launched a land and water search early Saturday morning. Rescue workers used helicopters and planes to aid in land and sea search efforts.
The first body was reportedly recovered at 11 a.m., with the third coming at 4 p.m. Along with the three bodies, Coast Guard officials also recovered the trio's 17-foot, flat-bottomed boat. The body of a hunting dog was recovered, as well.
The three men's bodies were recovered in Red Fish Bay, near Corpus Christi.
While officials do not expect foul play, the cause of the three men's death is under investigation. The Coast Guard confirmed that there was a small craft advisory on the water all day Friday.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and family of the these men.
