A body found in the Mississippi River on Monday has been identified as a 15-year-old boy who is one of three children missing for more than a week.
The boy was identified as Kevin Poole, by his family’s spokesperson, Dr Angela Chalk.
‘He always had a smile,’ Chalk told . ‘It would not be Kevin if he didn’t jump in to try to save his friend’s life.’
The children fell fell into the Mississippi River while playing along the west bank in the Algiers neighborhood of New Orleans. They were last seen on April 23.
Kevin’s body was recovered about two miles downstream from where he and the two other children were playing.
The discovery of Kevin’s remains has given new spark to the search for the two other missing children, 8-year-old Ally Wilson and 14-year-old Brandy Wilson. One of the girls reportedly fell into the river, and the two other youngers apparently went in trying to save her.
The girls’ mother, Octavia Wilson, said her daughters went to the river when she had a hospital visit for her heart condition.
‘I need my kids. They know I need them,’ she told . ‘I need my children.’
On Monday, police and Coast Guard helicopters flew above the river and the United Cajun Army searched the banks.
The Coast Guard had suspended its search on Sunday evening, after rescue crews scouring more than 93 miles of the river for a combined 55 hours.
‘The decision to suspend any search and rescue case is never easy but considering the extensive search efforts of our Coast Guard men and women, in conjunction with other response agencies, I’ve made the difficult decision to suspend our active search for the three children,’ Coast Guard Sector New Orleans commander Kelly Denning stated at the time.
‘Our prayers are with the families during this difficult time.’
Kevin’s body was found the same day that in Buck Creek, a day after he disappeared.
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