Body of former South student found

The body of Weston Powell, 15, who had been missing since Sunday, was found today in the Spring River. The following was posted earlier today on the Joplin Globe website:

By Roger McKinney

RIVERTON, Kan. — Searchers today found the body of 15-year-old Weston Powell, of Joplin, Mo., in Spring River nearly four days after he jumped into the river from Boston Mills Bridge.

Cherokee County Sheriff Steve Norman told reporters the body was found around 1:30 p.m. today on the water near the west bank of the river, about 350 to 400 yards from the bridge. He said searchers had been concentrating on that area since Sunday, while also continuing to look elsewhere.

Powell was among five males, three adults and two juveniles, who were jumping from the bridge into the swiftly-moving and rain-swollen river around 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Cherokee County Undersheriff Kent Soucy said the other four had successfully jumped from the bridge and swam to shore, but Powell was seized by the current. Soucy said his friends, all from Joplin, saw Powell surface once but never saw him after that.

The bridge on Lostine Road is about four miles north of the highway bridge in Riverton

"The river had just started to become manageable within the last 18 to 24 hours," Norman said of the conditions for searchers.

Norman said the area where the body was found had been focused on by cadaver-sniffing dogs.

"All indications were we were looking in the right area," Norman said.

Norman said he was glad that Powell’s body was found when it was, because he was preparing to suspend the search because of thunderstorms in the forecast for Thursday night.

"We were a little concerned today about the weather that was going to be approaching us," Norman said. "We had several boats in the water. We were actually going to pull our boats off at about five, but again, thankfully, we found what we were looking for."

Norman said he told Powell’s mother and father that his body had been found.

"I visited with mom and dad and I can tell you that they are relieved because it brings closure to them," Norman said.

He said the family members had been through an emotional four days.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to this family," Norman said.

(Family and friends of Weston Powell are shown during a prayer circle for him held today shortly after word was received that his body had been recovered. Joplin Globe photo by Roger McKinney)