COLUMBUS – Columbus police have confirmed that a body pulled from the Scioto River on the Northwest Side Monday is that of a 17-year-old girl missing for nearly a month.
Special Victims Bureau detectives and Columbus Police Dive Team personnel recovered the body of Payton Young at approximately 12:45 p.m. from the river just east of Hayden Run Falls Park and she was pronounced dead at the scene by Columbus Division of Fire personnel, Homicide Unit Sgt. Dave Sicilian said.
MISSING TEEN RECOVERED: Monday, 2/19/18@12:45pm CPD Special Victims Bureau Detectives & CPD Dive Team Personnel recovered 17yo Payton Elizabeth Young, from the Scioto River, just east of Hayden Run Falls Park. Anyone w/info on the case-CPD:645-4730 apennington@columbuspolice.org pic.twitter.com/uQq59ToVWw
— Columbus Division of Police (@ColumbusPolice) February 20, 2018
Payton was reported missing on the evening of January 21 and her vehicle was recovered empty and unlocked at Hayden Run Falls Park the same day. The Columbus police dive team searched the Scioto River the following day but found no traces of a body.
The teen was reportedly described as suicidal at the time of her disappearance.
Witnesses reported seeing police with search dogs in the area on more than one occasion since the vehicle was found.
Sicilian says police are working with the Franklin County Coroner’s Office to determine the cause of death and the investigation continues.
According to a release from an out-of-state organization, The Missing Foundation, Payton was seen at a Fishinger Road restaurant with an unidentified man in his 20’s but police.
Police released no suspect information on Tuesday.
Anyone with any information on the incident is encouraged to call the Columbus Police Homicide Unit at 614-645-4730 or Crime Stoppers at 614-645-TIPS (8477) or contact investigators via email.