Ohio: Missing teen Payton Young identified as body found in Scioto River

A body pulled from the Scioto River Monday has been identified as missing teen Payton Young.

According to Columbus Police, officers were dispatched to the Hayden Falls Park area on the report of a body found, Monday night.

The body was later identified as missing Young.

“Unfortunately we have received devastating news of the death of our sweet Payton. After a month of searching God has given us an answer to our prays. We thank all of you for your help and prayers. Please continue to pray for Payton and her family.” — Help Find Payton Young (@HelpFindPayton) February 20, 2018

Young, 17, was reported missing January 21, 2018 at approximately 7:30pm. Her car was found in a parking lot near the falls.

Young was a junior at Bishop Watterson High School, but was listed as an endangered runaway when she was reported missing by her family in January.

The cause of Young’s death is still being investigated by the coroner’s office.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call the CPD Homicide Unit at 614-645-4730 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-645-8477.

Payton Young

Bishop Watterson High School released this statement to Parents:

Parents,
It is with great sadness that I write to inform you that the Columbus Police have confirmed the death of our student, Payton Young. Today, our students were informed by their teachers of Payton’s death and grief counselors from Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Ohio Health Hospice are here to assist our staff and students during this difficult time.
No words can express the sorrow we feel for the Young family at this difficult time; our school community is heartbroken.
It is not easy to talk with children about something as sad as death. We wish we could protect them from the pain and grief associated with loss, but that is not possible or helpful to them. The best thing we can do is to make sure they have honest information – in a way that they can understand and deal with – and that there are caring adults they can talk with who will listen to their feelings and answer their questions about death and dying. At Bishop Watterson we are a faith family strengthened by the love and care we have for each other and with that in mind our staff will do everything possible to provide support for students who are grieving through on-site counseling and referrals.
May Payton rest in peace with the risen Lord.
Deacon Chris Campbell
Principal