14-Year-Old Son of Miami Art Fair Impresario Missing at Sea

Perry Cohen (left) and Austin Stephano (right).

The 14-year old stepson of Nick Korniloff, founder of the Art Miami fair, has been missing at sea since this past Friday evening, July 24.

The single engine, 19-foot fishing boat that Korniloff’s son, Perry Cohen, was fishing in with his friend Austin Stephanos, also 14, was found Sunday evening,July 26, capsized and damaged, according to a report on NBC News. The boat was found about 67 nautical miles off the coast near Daytona Beach. There was no sign of the boys.

A Coast Guard spokesman said a life vest was found in the hull of the boat, but the families did not know how many life vests were originally on board or whether the boys would have been wearing them.

On Friday morning around 11:30, the boys were reportedly Snapchatting with their parents and were last seen around 1:30pm at a marina, where they purchased $110 worth of gas.

Korniloff and his wife, Pamela Cohen, reported the boys missing at 5pm Friday. An extensive search was immediately conducted by the Coast Guard. Former NY Jets football star Joe Namath, a neighbor and friend of the Korniloff’s, joined the effort as a spokesman. There is a $100,000 reward being offered for the safe return of the boys.

Donations to the families’ rescue efforts can be made here.

Korniloff told one news outlet that both boys are experienced boaters but that they were only permitted to travel a certain distance on the inlet, and not out into the ocean.

On Sunday morning, Korniloff sent a plea for assistance to several of his art world connections:

Our 14yr old Son ( Pamela Cohen – my wife and Director of Marketing & Sponsorship )and friend is missing at Sea since Friday at 6 PM . It has made national news and many business, friends and Art collectors are donating to the rescue efforts – we need private planes and cash donations for Fuel for private plane owners. We have a 100k reward for the safe return of our boys

Joe Namath the former NY Jet star quarterback is our neighbor and has joined the search effort as a spokes person.

Please google the story and run something if possible.

We would really appreciate

this. I can send the donation link

Thanks

Nick and Pamela

 

For related coverage, see:

artnet Asks: Nick Korniloff, Founder of Art Miami New York

Nick Korniloff Expects Big Returns From Debut of Downtown Fair

Nick Korniloff Reveals Plans for New Manhattan Fair

 

 

 

 

 


Follow Artnet News on Facebook:


Want to stay ahead of the art world? Subscribe to our newsletter to get the breaking news, eye-opening interviews, and incisive critical takes that drive the conversation forward.