Chad Austin Ryman

The body of 2002 Tomball Graduate Chad Austin Ryman was found by divers on the afternoon of Feb. 14 after he was involved in an early morning boating accident on Feb. 10. Officers with the Precinct 1 Lake Patrol pulled the body of Chad Austin Ryman, 23, from the water around 3 p.m., according to Constable Don Chumley.“The body was found within 500 feet of where the boat was found, and Ryman is the only person missing in the area,” Chumley said. “We have notified Ryman’s family.” According to Chumley, Ryman’s family was to identify the body Feb. 15 at the Southeast Texas Forensic Center in Conroe, where an autopsy will be performed. Ryman and two friends were on the lake Feb. 9 in a 2007 Larson Motorboat when it hit a bulkhead and began sinking at Live Branch Creek near the old League Line Marina.

Justin Pfeffer swam to shore and Jonathan Edward Murray was pulled from the water by first responders from the North Montgomery Volunteer Fire Department.

Pfeffer told officers that Ryman had also been on the boat and was missing.

Officers searched the lake continuously since that morning, Chumley said, and on the afternoon of Feb. 14, sonar scanning equipment was brought in to aid the search. Precinct 1 Diver Vernon Miller dove to a target identified by the scanner and found the body.The body was taken to the Pct. 1 Marine Division Office, where Pct. 1 Justice of the Peace Lanny Moriarty ordered the autopsy. Pam Ryman, Chad Ryman’s aunt, described him as a family-oriented, quiet and soft-spoken man. “He was very intelligent,” she said. “Intelligent to the point that we all think he was ahead of his time.” She said his parents, Jeff and Cindy, are “devastated, of course, but trying to be strong.” “It’s Valentine’s Day and he’s our valentine,” she said. “Of course we all miss him terribly and wish he was coming home, but we’re glad we found him.” The Ryman family released a statement saying they are thankful to Texas Equusearch, the Montgomery County Constable Pct. 1 for their work and Piney Woods Resort for providing accommodations for the search party and family. “We are touched by the wealth of love, support and prayers that have been sent from family and friends worldwide,” the statement continued. “Chad Austin Ryman was an exceptional, faithful young man who loved his family, friends, girlfriend Tracy and his dog Cloey. He loved the outdoors and sport activities. Some of the best memories of Chad his family has are of time hunting in Wadsworth, where his great grandparent are from, with his brother Jeff Jr., father and uncles. From the time (Chad) was a child, his favorite food was pickles and hot dogs. We have many stories of Chad that will always warm our hearts and make us laugh and we are blessed to have had him in our lives for the last 23 years.” Chad Ryman’s best friend, Kenny Tipton, said he could light up the room. “He was always smiling,” Tipton said. He said most recently Ryman had made the decision to go into the Air Force and to get his life in order and the way he wanted it. “He’s been my best friend since fourth-grade,” Tipton said. “He was a really good man. He loved his dog Chloe and loved fishing, I can just see him looking at his big fish tank and smiling.” Chad Ryman’s girlfriend Tracy Schuchart said that Chad was an amazing person. “He was so kind and loving, and had the biggest heart in the world,” Schuchart said. “He was so bright and he had so many plans and goals in place for his future. He was just waiting for everything to fall into place. He loved just being around his family and friends and spending as much time as he could with his girlfriend, and having fun. Anyone who knew Chad was very fortunate to have him in their life. He will be greatly missed, but he will always be loved forever."