Supporting the Hodges Family

Supporting the Hodges Family

Over Fourth of July weekend, a tragic accident changed the lives of the Hodges family forever. On Saturday, July 5th, 20-year-old James Alexander Hodges III went missing while enjoying a day on the water with family and friends at Rocky Point Bay in Lake Isabella — a place that had always been a part of cherished family traditions.

While out on a boat with friends, James jumped into the lake but began struggling in the water. Despite immediate efforts by those around him to help, including his mother’s fiancé who bravely dove in to try and save him, James slipped beneath the surface and has not been seen since. The murky lake conditions made the rescue efforts even more difficult.

Kern County Search and Rescue responded quickly and has continued searching daily. However, due to limited volunteer resources, the operation has transitioned from rescue to recovery. James' family, devastated and desperate for closure, has since hired a professional diving team from San Francisco to support the search.

James was a bright light in the lives of everyone who knew him. He was set to begin his junior year at Loyola Marymount University (LMU), where he was pursuing his dreams and building a future full of promise. James was an intern for booking at Live Nation, a Ticket Seller at the Kia Forum & Intuit Dome, where he worked with his mother side by side, and also was an aspiring actor.

He was passionate, smart, kind, and full of potential. As an only child, he was the heart of his mother Donna’s world — her everything. His sudden disappearance has left an indescribable void in the lives of those who love him most.

All donations, no matter how small, will help this family while they deal with this unexpected tragedy. Every contribution helps ease the financial burden as we work tirelessly to bring James back to his loved ones.

Please keep James, Donna, and their entire family in your thoughts. Your support means more than words can express.