Search for Missing Wyoming Football Recruit Naphtali Moimoi Comes Up Empty

Moimoi was last seen at Half Moon Bay in California on a boogie board.

A rescue mission for missing Wyoming football recruit Naphtali Moimoi in California has concluded without the discovery of his body, the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office announced.

Moimoi, 18, was last seen at Half Moon Bay. He fell off a boogie board and friends saw him in the water unresponsive. Two helicopters, two boats and first responders were deployed in the search, which initially was declared a rescue mission before being moved to a water recovery.

On Thursday, search efforts were called off due to lack of visibility, but resumed Friday. The search was officially ended later on Friday afternoon.

Wyoming head coach Craig Bohl issued a statement on Monday. 

"We have been talking with Naphtali's family, and our hearts go out to the entire Moi Moi family at this extremely difficult time," Bohl said. "As a Cowboy Football family, we are all thinking of and praying for Naphtali, his family and his friends."

"We will continue to work with local authorities to be on the look out & follow up on any information we receive," the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.

A vigil was held for Moimoi on Friday night at Hayward High School.

1- Family, friends, teammates gather at #Hayward #highschool for emotional tribute to 18yo Naphtali Moimoi. He went missing while boogie boarding in Poplar #Beach on Thursday. Police say search ended Friday am in waters off #HalfMoonBay. #EastBay#student #family #vigil pic.twitter.com/LufrUNAfBL

— Anser Hassan (@AnserHassan) April 20, 2019

2- Coach called Naphtali Moimoi "a monster on the field" in reference to his #athletic ability. The #highschool #football star was a defensive tackle, recruited to play football this fall at the University of #Wyoming.#whereyoulive #eastbay #student #family #vigil pic.twitter.com/thQXzVrtYv

— Anser Hassan (@AnserHassan) April 20, 2019

Moimoi, a native of Hayward, Calif., signed with Wyoming in December 2018 during the early-signing period.