LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. -- Having only slept a few hours since finding out his son Jimmy was dead, Lakewood Ranch resident Reid Butler had one thing to say: Thank you.
- Jimmy Butler's father thanks searchers
- Butler's body was found Thursday along I-275
- Volunteers spent 12 days searching for Butler
"The outpouring of support is beyond my wildest dreams, even though this is every parents' nightmare," Butler said Saturday afternoon.
Jimmy Butler was last seen after attending a bike event in St. Pete Beach on November 17. He left for home riding on his motorcycle but never made it.
The 12-day search for Jimmy Butler ended on Thursday when highway workers picking up trash on I-275 came across his remains.
Pieces of his motorcycle were scattered near the scene. It was the grim end to a search that involved hundreds of volunteers and spanned the sky, water and ground.
Through tears, Reid Butler thanked everyone who helped search for his son.
"I don't have the vocabulary to express properly, the deep emotional feeling, the thanks I have for everyone," he said.
Jimmy Butler's death is still under investigation.