Body found in Scioto is Watterson student
Columbus police said Tuesday that the body recovered from the Scioto River near Hayden Falls Park on the Northwest Side Monday afternoon was that of 17-year-old Payton Elizabeth Young, a junior at Bishop Watterson High School.
Police said detectives are working with the Franklin County coroner’s office to determine an official cause for her death, which is being investigated as a suicide.
Young, who was active in her high school drama club, was reported missing by her family on Jan. 21 and was listed as an endangered runaway. Searchers found her car at the park. Police believe her body had been in the river since she disappeared.
On Feb. 18, Young’s mother, Jamie Young, wrote on a Facebook page dedicated to find the teenager: “My heart aches like I never imagined it could. I just want to wrap my arms around you and never let go of you.” The entry marked one month since her disappearance. Until a few days ago, her mother expressed hope that Young would return.
“There is a giant hole in our hearts and in our family, Payton. We all miss you terribly,” she wrote to her daughter.
Police were following up on tips through social media and phone calls from people who believed Young was alive, but did not want to be found. Detectives were still following leads until a few days ago, said Sgt. Dean Worthington, a spokesman for the police division.
The area where Young’s body was found had been searched before, but on Thursday police tried again. Cadaver dogs hit on a spot under the Hayden Road bridge over the river. On Monday, investigators using sonar confirmed there was a body in the water at that location. The police underwater search and recovery dive team found the body shortly after, Worthington said.
Columbus police respond to about 7,000 missing persons reports every year. In most cases, people turn up, Worthington said. However, sometimes it’s challenging for investigators.
“It’s awfully hard to find someone who doesn’t want to be found,” he said.
On the Facebook page dedicated to finding Young, a page administrator posted Tuesday: “After a month of searching God has given us an answer to our prayers. We thank all of you for your help and prayers. Please continue to pray for Payton and her family.”
Counselors from Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Ohio Health Hospice were
“After a month of searching God has given us an answer to our prayers. We thank all of you for your help and prayers. Please continue to pray for Payton and her family.”
— From the Facebook page dedicated to finding Payton Young
at the high school Tuesday to assist staff and students, according to a letter sent to parents of Bishop Watterson students.
Administrators at Bishop Watterson posted the following statement on the school’s Facebook page Tuesday afternoon: “No words can express the sorrow we feel for the Young family at this difficult time; our school community is heartbroken. May Payton rest in peace with the risen Lord.”
Payton is survived by her parents Jamie and Brad Young, her siblings Alex, Tyler, Taylor and Brooke, and other family members.