Search goes on for boater who didn't reach shore

The search in the reeds Tuesday was slow, methodical and painstaking, according to authorities. But it was the area where they had the "strongest evidence" of where Thongthipvoravong's body might be, Hodgson said.

After crews arrived Monday night, a second and third boater were spotted separately, making their way through several hundred yards of 8- to 9-foot-high reeds toward the golf course about 11 p.m. Faint cries of help led searchers to the general area where they found the men.

A fourth survivor was also found about a half-mile from shore in the water. More faint cries of help led searchers to another area of the water, about a half-mile from shore just before 2 a.m., when crews rescued a fifth boater.

The fifth boater had spent about eight hours in 62-degree water. Four of the men were treated for hypothermia. All were transported to local hospitals.

Orem resident Soukitta Thongthipvoravong, 30, a brother of the missing man, was released from Utah Valley Regional Medical Center on Tuesday. Chans Mixayboua, 33, of American Fork, and Keooudai Sysasith, 34, of West Jordan, remained hospitalized there Tuesday afternoon. Joe Rajsavong, 32, of South Jordan, was released earlier in the day.

"I don't know how to say … just thank you, God," said Sitha Mixayboua, the father of Chans Mixayboua.

Sitha Mixayboua was at the command post at the boat harbor Tuesday, waiting for any word of Lon Thongthipvoravong.

"I feel sad. … They're both my sons. Their kids are my kids. They all eat at my house. I know them long time, more than 15 years. He's a nice guy, a good boy," he said before his eyes filled with tears and he couldn't talk any longer with reporters.

Contributing: Jacob Hancock, Sara Lenz

E-MAIL: emorgan@desnews.com; preavy@desnews.com