Jefferson City man drowns in Osage River

A Jefferson City man who had been drinking was found dead Sunday morning in the Osage River, Osage County Sheriff Michael Dixon confirmed.

Cody Rush, 30, drowned, and no foul play is suspected, Dixon said.

He said Rush was camping, and had been last seen at 10 p.m. Friday by family members at their campground off County Road 416. Rush's parents reported him missing about 5:30 p.m. Saturday evening, saying the driver's door of his vehicle at the campground was left open. They said it was not like Rush to leave the door open.

Dixon and several other sheriff's deputies, along with the Missouri Highway Patrol, Water Division, and Linn Fire Protection District, began searching for Rush. They searched on ground as well as in the water with four or five boats, Dixon said.

They abandoned the search around 10:15 p.m. Saturday due to a lack of sunlight.

On Sunday morning, two females in a paddle boat reported that they saw the body in the water.

Dixon said Rush had been "heavily intoxicated" while camping Friday.