Nationwide — Derrick Saunders Jr., a 13-year-old African American boy from Louisville, Kentucky, was swept away by the Ohio River while swimming with family. Rescue crews found his body two days later about a mile from where he disappeared.
Saunders Jr. was with his twin sister and two other family members near the Greenwood Boat Ramp on Monday night. They waded into the river to cool down when strong currents pulled them under. While the others managed to get out safely, Derrick never resurfaced.
Search teams worked for more than a day, using boats and helicopters to scan the river. They looked as far as 20 miles downstream near Brandenburg. Finally, after about a day and a half, crews recovered Derrick’s body about a mile from the boat ramp.
The coroner ruled the death an accident caused by drowning.
Derrick’s mother, Lakesha Saunders, said the family’s hope had faded as the search went on. “After so many days, the hope started turning into ‘please don’t let this be months,’” she told WLKY.
Police expressed sympathy for the family’s loss. “As a parent and, of course, as a human being, I can’t imagine the incredible emotional grief and loss that they are feeling,” said LMPD spokesperson John Bradley.
Saunders’ family had been planning for his future just days before. “We were planning for high school. He had so much more to do,” said his mother.