Dad's Body Found Near Island 6 Weeks After His Kids Died During Sailing Trip: 'Three Beautiful Angels'

Mar. 15, 2025

Billy Salnik and his children Charlotte and Josh.Photo:Tina Salnik/GoFundMe

Billy Salnik and his children Charlotte and Josh

Tina Salnik/GoFundMe

TheMarinette County Sheriff’s Officeannounced on Facebook that Billy Salnik’s body, which was found near Green Island, has been recovered. A boater reported that they located a possible body, which prompted the sheriff’s office and the fire department to respond.

The sheriff’s office’s statement further added: “We would like to thank all those involved in the numerous searches for their tireless efforts. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Billy at this time.”

In a July 15 Facebook post, theDoor County Sheriff’s Officewrote that the Oconto County Sheriff’s Office was alerted of an overdue boater who departed Oconto Harbor on July 13, around 10:00 a.m.

Believed to be on the vessel at the time was a man, later identified as Salnik, with two children. They were identified inmedia reportsas Charlotte Salnik, 5, and Joshua Salnik, 3.

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The bodies of the children were later “recovered from the water about 1 mile south of where the boat had been located” at approximately 11:21 a.m., the Door County Sheriff’s Office statement added. The search for the other missing person continued.

In a July interview with ABC affiliateWBAYbefore the discovery of her son’s body, Tina Salnik said she knows Billy tied the life jackets her grandchildren had on them together so they could be found.

In an Aug. 24 update to aGoFundMethat she created to pay for her son and grandchildren’s funeral expenses, Tina Salnik wrote: “We have now found all three beautiful angels. In my heart I feel billy give everything he had. I love you honey. And my beautiful grandchildren. Now I can lay you all To rest. Thank you everyone all the love I have received.”

PEOPLE contacted Tina Salnik for comment on Tuesday, Aug. 27.

source: people.com