No foul play suspected in Jefferson City teenagers' drowning

Jefferson City police confirmed Jacob Foster, 18, left, and Dantonio McClain, 17, died of accidental drowning in the Moreau River after their disappearance the afternoon of Wednesday, July 19, 2017.
Jefferson City police confirmed Jacob Foster, 18, left, and Dantonio McClain, 17, died of accidental drowning in the Moreau River after their disappearance the afternoon of Wednesday, July 19, 2017.

Two teenagers found dead in the Moreau River on Thursday died from accidental drowning, the Jefferson City Police Department confirmed Friday after autopsies took place.

No foul play is suspected in the drowning deaths of Jacob Foster, 18, and Dantonio McClain, 17, died from accidental drowning, Jefferson City police said Friday.

Toxicology results should come back in eight to 12 weeks, and detectives will continue to look at what the two were doing prior to their deaths.

Officers originally were called to the area to investigate a parking complaint on a vehicle believed to be driven by one of the teens, which was left at the scene. Items belonging to the individuals were found, leading police and family to believe the two had possibly jumped into the Moreau River at that location.

Around 1:35 a.m. Thursday, the Jefferson City Fire Department was contacted to start looking for the two young men. The searchers were later joined by members of the Missouri Highway Patrol's Marine Division.

Family members were notified Thursday afternoon that Foster and McClain had been found deceased. The Highway Patrol reported they had been found in the river near the train bridge.

Detectives were told the area around the bridge is a gathering place for youth who sometimes jump off the bridge, JCPD Capt. Doug Shoemaker said during a Thursday news conference.

Foster would have been a senior at Jefferson City High School in the 2017-18 school year. McClain, a former Jefferson City Public Schools student, was listed as a resident of Spartanburg, South Carolina, on the Missouri Highway Patrol drowning incident report.

High school students who want to seek counseling can call 573-659-3070. The hours for the high school counselor's office until school starts are 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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