Indiana police have found the body of Matthew Morey, the 19-year-old former high school football star who jumped into the Mississinewa River last week amid raging floods, along with three of his friends.
“From the beginning, we made a commitment to Matthew’s family that we would not give up until they had answers. Today, that search has come to an end,” the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement on Saturday, August 15.
The statement continued, “There are no words that can ease the pain of losing a child. Our hearts are with Matthew’s family, friends, classmates, and everyone who knew and loved him. We ask that our community continue to keep his family in their thoughts and prayers and respect their privacy as they grieve this tragic loss.”
Morey graduated from Delta High School in Muncie, Indiana, where he was a wide receiver for the school’s football team. He was scheduled to move into his dorm at Purdue University on Sunday, August 16.
Indiana is in the midst of severe flooding that has already killed at least five people, according to the Associated Press. President Donald Trump approved an emergency declaration for the state over the weekend, giving Indiana access to federal disaster assistance.
Morey and three of his friends reportedly leapt from a bridge into the river on Wednesday, August 12. Officials recovered the three other individuals safely and promptly launched a search and rescue operation to find Morey. It is not known why they jumped.
The search included the use of boats, drones, aircraft, K9 teams and personnel walking the riverbank, but was suspended the next day amid rising waters.
“Water levels continued to rise, and the combination of swift current and significant debris has created conditions that are unsafe for boats or personnel to enter the water,” the sheriff’s office announced at the time. “The safety of our first responders and volunteers must remain a priority.”
The day before Morey’s body was found, his mother, Angie Morey, told NBC she was holding out hope for her son’s safety.
“I’m hurt and I need some help, and so we’re not there and I can’t get there,” she said through tears. “I can’t get to him because there’s no — I can’t get in a boat. If I had a boat, I swear to God I’d be in that water. And my hope is that he’s still alive.”
As the search continued, the community gathered at a local church for a prayer vigil on Friday, August 14.
“We are here because Matthew matters to us, and a young life matters,” Pastor Jeff Hughes said at the vigil, according to the Star Press. “A family matters. A school matters. A community matters. And right now, we are carrying something very heavy that is incredibly difficult, that no one should carry alone.”
