Aaron Au Ramirez and his younger brother, Maximo Au Ramirez, disappeared in the lake on Saturday.
Maximo’s body was recovered Wednesday evening after it was discovered near the Sturgeon Falls Trail by a boat on the water. RCMP confirmed Thursday evening that Aaron’s body had also been found.
Earlier Thursday, the boys’ parents, Haidee Ramirez and Roger Au, shared a statement through RCMP describing their grief as “unimaginable pain.”
They thanked volunteers, search organizations and community members who helped search the water and shorelines, or offered support through “hugs, prayers and hope.”
“What we’ve gone through is not humanly possible to understand. We’re surviving only because of the help of those around us,” the parents said in a statement read to media by RCMP Staff Sgt. Cory Meyers.
“Please keep our sons, who were always faithful and kind, in your thoughts and in your prayers.”
The search effort involved about 20 boats, a dive team and crews from the Hutterian Emergency Aquatic Response Team, Turtle Aquatic Response Inc., and the Rosenort Fire Department.
Premier Wab Kinew called the tragedy “heartbreaking” and said the province is examining next steps to improve safety.
“The mind just races and the heart fills with compassion for these boys, for their family and everybody who knew them,” Kinew said while attending a meeting of Canada’s premiers in Charlottetown.
“We do have a responsibility around keeping Manitobans safe.”
Environment Minister Mike Moyes has directed his department to assess high-risk trails and areas across Manitoba’s more than 90 provincial parks.
An assessment of the Sturgeon Falls area was completed this week, with results expected Friday.
The Sturgeon Falls Trail was closed after the boys entered the water on Saturday and will remain closed until additional safety measures can be implemented.
The area already contains warning signs about slippery and hidden rocks, strong currents and a steep drop-off. Moyes said the province could consider additional measures, including fencing, barricades, more signage or the closure of smaller side trails connected to the main Sturgeon Falls route.
