The body of Kevin Poole Jr., one of three children last seen entering the Mississippi River near New Orleans, was found on Monday, May 2, according to a family spokesperson and the coroner's office.
According to NBC affiliate WDSU of New Orleans, the 15-year-old was located about two miles from where he and the other two kids fell in the water. The New Orleans Coroner's Office confirmed Poole's death on Wednesday, May 4, with the cause still under investigation.
Poole and two girls, ages 14 and 8, were last seen entering the Mississippi River on April 23. Poole's female companions have not been found yet. The Coast Guard said that rescue crews searched more than 93 miles along the Mississippi River over a combined total of 55 hours for the three missing kids before suspending its search.
New Orleans Mayor Cantrell offers condolences to the Poole family
According to family spokesperson Angela Chalk, Poole wanted to study environmental coastal management when he went to college. Chalk added that Poole always had a smile, and it would not be Kevin if he did not jump in to try to save his friend's life. Poole's mother said that his son's body was recovered around 11:15 a.m. on Monday. He was then later identified by the Orleans Parish Coroner's Office.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell offered her condolences to Poole's family after news broke that his body was found. Cantrell posted a message on the social media platform Twitter, writing, "Today's news about the recovery of 15-year-old Kevin Poole Jr.'s body from the Mississippi River is absolutely heartbreaking. No parent should have to endure the tragedy of losing a child. Words can never be enough in such a devastating moment."
According to the New York Post, Poole was swept away after jumping into the Mississippi River to save his girlfriend last month. Poole and the two other girls were pulled underwater in the river near Crescent Park in New Orleans on April 23.
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Poole tried to save his girlfriend Brandy Wilson
Family members have said that Poole was with his 14-year-old girlfriend Brandy Wilson, her 8-year-old sister Ally Wilson and their 5-year-old brother at the time of the incident. Brandy slipped on a piling and fell into the river near Crescent City Connection Bridge, with Poole and Ally following her in the water to rescue her.
They dove into the ripping current to save Brandy, but they were pulled underwater. Brandy and Ally's five-year-old brother was the one who reported the drowning to authorities. The missing sisters' father told WWL-TV that the evening his girls were swept away was the first time they had been allowed to leave the house alone.
Private dive businesses and local agencies like the New Orleans Police Department have continued to search for the kids after the U.S. Coast Guard decided to suspend its search operations. Family members of the missing kids held a vigil on the levee on Monday.
