Girl's body recovered from East Fork of the White River in Columbus

Thursday, April 2, 2026 at 1:03 PM

By Staff report

Indiana Conservation Officers have recovered the body of the 11-year-old juvenile that went missing in the East Fork of the White River in Columbus Monday evening.

At 10:42 a.m. Thursday, conservation officer divers located and recovered the victim in 10 feet of water approximately 80 yards from where she was last seen.

Release as of April 1, at 10:51 a.m.

Indiana Conservations Officers are resuming the search for an 11 year-old who went missing on the East Fork of the White River yesterday evening.

At approximately 6:39 p.m., first responders were called to Mill Race Park for a report of a juvenile who went underwater and did not resurface. It was determined that the victim, an 11-year-old female, and some friends were on a sandbar in the river when she waded too far out and was caught in the river current.

Responders from Columbus Fire Department, Bartholomew County Sheriff Department and Indiana Conservation Officers searched the water with boats, sonar, and above and underwater drones until after dark. The search resumed this morning.

Agencies assisting with the search include Columbus Police Department, Columbus Township Fire Dept., Harrison Township Fire Dept., and Wayne Township Fire Dept.