Body of Everette Jackson Has Been Found

The Gem County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) announced they have found the body of the missing 21-year-old Everette Roman Jackson.

According to officials, a volunteer located Jackson approximately two miles downstream from where he was last seen on the Payette River. Volunteers and rescue workers had spent the past eight days looking for him.

He was then identified by his family, who flew in from Louisiana to help with the search. 

Jackson was a student and athlete at Louisiana State University Eunice and the school shared the heartbreaking news as well.

Jackson, who was from Raceland, Louisiana, was visiting his girlfriend in Boise, Idaho when he went missing. 

The GCSO said he was floating the Payette River with a group on Saturday, June 11, when he missed the cutoff point to get out of the river. A witness told the sheriff’s office that they saw him go under the water and never come up. 

According to family members, they were told that Jackson and his girlfriend missed their exit while tubing and tried to paddle back to a dock. She was able to cling to a branch, but Jackson was reportedly pulled away in the current.

Here’s a post that Jackson’s girlfriend shared on social media.

The search for Jackson was initially complicated by the dangerously high and fast-moving water levels. They had to use drones during the search. 

Jackson is remembered as a fun-loving, talented individual who loved the company of friends and family.

Here’s more from the family when they were searching for him.

Funeral arrangements will be set in the coming days.

Sending condolences to the family and we pray that they receive the answers and closure they deserve.