Authorities have confirmed that the bodies recovered from the Missouri River in Omaha, Nebraska, this week are those of the three girls who went missing nearly two weeks ago.
The search began after three girls in a group of four on a fishing trip were reported missing on April 15. The operation quickly grew to involve multiple agencies, including local, state, and federal partners.
One of the girls slipped into the river, and the others jumped in to try to rescue her, authorities said. One of the four girls survived.
The girls who died have been identified as 18-year-old Lah Tray Moo, 18-year-old Laiana Green, and 11-year-old Eh Cress Moo, according to local news outlets.
The OFD extended “our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of these girls.”
“The loss of these young lives has touched our entire community, and our hearts continue to be with you now and in the days ahead,” OFD stated.
Omaha Fire Battalion Chief Coby Werner said the water temperature in the river is about 45 degrees, which can cause hypothermia within 10 to 15 minutes.
The search took a turn over the weekend when a fisherman, Anthony Newson, spotted a body in the river near N.P. Dodge Park.
After seeing what appeared to be a body, Newson told KMTV on April 27 that he called 911 and, with his cousin, tried to keep the body from drifting away until authorities arrived. Police recovered the body minutes later.
Search and recovery efforts involved multiple departments and agencies, including the Nautical Services Unit (NSU) of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO).
