UPDATE: Two teens go missing after swimming in Moreau River, both found dead
UPDATE 7/21: The autopsy confirmed that McClain and Foster both died from accidental drowning. Foul play is not suspected.
UPDATE: Jefferson City police released more details surrounding the death of two teens found in the Moreau River in a new conference Thursday afternoon.
Capt. Doug Shoemaker with JCPD said police initially got involved with the incident after someone reported a parking violation Wednesday night after a truck was found in the road near the railroad bridge. Officers contacted the owner of the truck, which was the mom of one of the two teens. The mother moved the vehicle and did not suspect anything was wrong at the time.
Later, a friend of the two teens contacted police, worried that the teen’s personal belongings were still inside the vehicle. Police initiated a missing person’s report after speaking with both families which had still not heard from the teens.
Multiple agencies assisted in the search in the Moreau River, which continued through the night and into Thursday afternoon until the two bodies were found deceased in the river.
The Jefferson City Fire Department assisted in the search Wednesday night. Asst. Chief Jay Niemeyer told ABC 17 News the depth of the water below the bridge was about 14 feet deep.
The water was reportedly very slow moving Wednesday night, according to Niemeyer. Crews checked for large debris at the bottom of the river and mostly found some large rocks in the area.
UPDATE 3:33 P.M.: Both of the teens were found dead in the Moreau River. According to the press conference with JCPD, the teens may have jumped from the railroad bridge, which is higher than the bridge that cars pass over. The autopsies for the teens are scheduled for tomorrow.
ORIGINAL STORY: According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, two teen boys told friends and family that they were going to the Algoa Road Railroad Bridge to go swimming on Wednesday afternoon. The river that runs under the bridge is the Moreau River.
The two teens have been identified as Jacob Foster, 18, and Dantonio McClain, 17, both of Jefferson City.
The family of the teenagers went to the scene after not hearing from them, and only found their car and personal belongings.
The MSHP has been searching since about 2:30 a.m. Thursday morning. They searched on the surface of the river, and have also done some “dragging.” The dive team is also working the scene.
JCPD is doing the reports and running the investigation.
