Authorities believe they have recovered the bodies of three girls who went missing last month while fishing on the Missouri River near Omaha, Nebraska.
The girls — Lah Tray Moo, 18; Laiana Green, 18; and Eh Cress Moo, 11 — were reported missing on April 15. According to NBC affiliate WOWT, the group had been on a fishing trip and was accompanied by a 13-year-old relative who was not harmed.
Investigators say one of the girls fell into the river, prompting the others to jump in and try to save her.
Lah Tray Moo’s body was found on Saturday by a bystander at NP Dodge Park and was later positively identified by the Omaha Police Department.
At the time, Omaha Fire Battalion Chief Coby Werner said the discovery might help search crews locate the other two girls. “The indication is that maybe the girls are still up in this area,” Werner told WOWT. “But with the way the river flows, you just never know, so we’re going to continue, we’re going to focus up here tomorrow, but we’ll also continue to search down river as well just in case.”
On Wednesday, the Omaha Fire Department announced in a Facebook post that two more bodies had been recovered from the river on Tuesday night.
Eh Cress Moo would have celebrated her 12th birthday on April 22, just days after she went missing.
While autopsies are still being conducted to officially confirm the identities of the two most recently recovered bodies, police say they are believed to be the remaining missing girls.
“Our deepest and most heartfelt condolences go out to the families and friends of these girls,” the Omaha Fire Department shared in a Facebook post. “The loss of these young lives has deeply affected our entire community, and our thoughts remain with you now and in the days to come.”
A GoFundMe campaign was launched to help the Moo family cover funeral expenses. The fundraiser asks for prayers and support as the family copes with what it describes as a heartbreaking tragedy.
“This is a nightmare for our family as we go through this tragedy,” the campaign reads. “We’re grateful for everyone who has stood by us during this difficult time.”
