Ean Michael Reinold was a 19-year-old from Quincy, Illinois, who had a deep passion for the outdoors. An avid sportsman, he was known for his love of hunting and fishing and was a member of the Mississippi Valley Hunters and Fishermen's Association. On the afternoon of October 14, 2017, Ean was on the Mississippi River, enjoying an activity he loved, when the 16-foot jon boat he was in with two other people and a dog was struck by a wave and capsized near Lock and Dam 21. The three occupants entered the water and attempted to swim to the safety of the shore.
The tragic turn of events unfolded quickly as the individuals in the water were spotted by deckhands from Canton Marine Towing. Crew members from a tugboat rushed to their aid, managing to pull two of the individuals from the river. As they were rescuing the second person, another wave struck, and Ean, who was not wearing a life jacket, disappeared from sight. Emergency crews, including the Quincy-Adams County Volunteer Corps and the Mennonite Disaster Service rescue team, launched an extensive search effort, concentrating on the area just north of the municipal barge dock. Despite their determined efforts in the days that followed, Ean could not be located. The dog that had been in the boat managed to swim to shore safely.
The search for Ean Reinold continued, leaving his family, friends, and the community in a painful state of uncertainty. In August of the following year, human remains were discovered along the Mississippi River near Hull, Illinois. It wasn't until March 2019 that the Pike County Sheriff's Department confirmed through DNA analysis, with assistance from Ean's family and the Illinois State Police, that the remains were indeed those of Ean Michael Reinold. The discovery, while heartbreaking, brought a degree of closure to a case that began with a sudden and tragic accident on the water, forever changing the lives of those who knew and loved the young man from Quincy.
Last Seen: Oct 14, 2017
