Search crews recover body of missing Pulaski County mom swept away in floods
The body of a missing mother swept away in flash flooding Tuesday was recovered by search crews Friday.
Boone County fire crews and Missouri Task Force 1 said the body of 23-year-old Jessica Lee was recovered by local firefighters late Friday near Waynesville just a few yards from the Roubidoux River Bridge.
“We were up and down there dozens of times with hundreds of people, cadaver dogs, equipment, and we weren’t able to locate her and now we know why because she was submerged underwater,” said Ronald long with the Pulaski County Sheriff Department.
Boone County Fire Protection District sent a team of five handlers and two K-9 units to Pulaski County after receiving a request early Friday morning.
The team searched river banks for Lee, who got caught in flash flooding near Mitchell Creek Tuesday. Lee’s four-year-old son Elyjah was found dead later that morning.
“Although these types of searches are often difficult, there is a sense of satisfaction when the search is successful,” said Chief Scott Olsen in a press release. “When we reach this point of search efforts our focus is to help bring closure to the families involved.”
The K-9 units that were sent have training to find deceased people or people who may be trapped underwater. Rescuers near Mitchell Creek told ABC 17 News Thursday they did not believe Lee would be found alive.
