Search crews on Saturday recovered the body of 18-year-old Matthew Morey from the Mississinewa River, bringing to a close an intensive multi-day effort by Delaware County authorities after the teen went missing Aug. 12, the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office said.
Search hampered by high water and swift currents
The river search began Wednesday evening after reports that four people had entered the flooded Mississinewa River near County Road 450 East and Gregory Road, roughly midway between the towns of Albany and Eaton. Deputies said three of the four people were able to reach safety; Morey was swept away.
Teams deployed a range of resources — boats, drones, aircraft and K-9 units — to comb the river and its banks, but officials said fast currents, rising water and dangerous debris slowed progress and forced periodic suspensions of operations.
“From the beginning, we made a commitment to Matthew’s family that we would not give up until they had answers,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement released after the recovery.
Local and statewide toll from severe weather
The recovery in Delaware County came as Indiana authorities confirmed that severe weather this week has been linked to at least six deaths statewide, according to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.
In Delaware County, investigators also identified a second weather-related fatality. Near Yorktown, deputies on Friday located the body of 59-year-old Stephanie Jo Sallie in a cornfield along South Bell Creek Road, the county coroner later confirmed. Investigators believe Sallie’s vehicle was swept off the road by floodwaters that reached more than 3 feet deep Thursday; officials said she likely died after exiting the car in an attempt to escape the current. A dog was found dead inside the vehicle.
Emergency crews had rescued another driver from that same stretch of road a day earlier.
Other storm-linked deaths this week included a 4-year-old boy in Jennings County whose home was struck by a falling tree Tuesday, authorities said, and a woman who died in a house explosion in Portage, in Porter County. Officials said investigators are examining whether severe weather played a role in the Portage blast; the woman’s identity has not been released. The state Homeland Security agency also listed a female fatality in Lake County and a male fatality in LaPorte County among the storm-related deaths.
- Mississinewa River: Matthew Morey, 18, recovered after entering flooded river; three others reached safety.
- South Bell Creek Road (Yorktown area): Stephanie Jo Sallie, 59, found after vehicle swept off road; a dog also died.
- Jennings County: 4-year-old child killed when a tree fell on a home.
- Porter County (Portage): Woman killed in house explosion under investigation for weather link.
- Lake and LaPorte counties: Additional fatalities listed by state Homeland Security; limited details available.
What authorities said and what comes next
The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office coordinated the river search and worked alongside other local emergency responders. Officials temporarily suspended searching during periods of dangerous conditions and resumed once it was feasible, then returned to the river Saturday when the recovery occurred.
The coroner’s office released the name and age of the Yorktown-area victim on Saturday, and investigators are continuing to piece together circumstances around the other storm-related deaths statewide. Authorities have not yet released additional identifying information for the victim in the Portage house explosion.
| Location | Incident | Known outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware County (Mississinewa River) | Multiple people entered flooded river; one swept away | Body of Matthew Morey recovered |
| Yorktown area (South Bell Creek Road) | Vehicle swept off road by >3 ft. floodwater | Stephanie Jo Sallie, 59, found dead; dog also dead |
| Jennings County | Storm toppled tree onto home | 4-year-old child killed |
| Portage (Porter County) | House explosion under investigation | Woman killed; identity not released |
State and local officials have urged the public to avoid flooded roadways and to treat moving water as dangerous. Floodwaters can hide hazards such as sharp debris, washed-out roadbeds and strong undercurrents that can overwhelm even strong swimmers or rescue boats.
Residents are reminded to monitor weather alerts and advisories from the National Weather Service and to follow instructions from local emergency management offices. When roads are flooded, the safest choice is to turn around and seek an alternate route — never attempt to drive or walk through standing or moving floodwater.
The recovery underscores the rapid and destructive power of floodwaters and the strain severe weather places on search-and-rescue operations. Investigations into the circumstances of each fatality remain ongoing, and officials have urged patience and caution as they compile reports and share information with families.
Local authorities have not released additional names or details about the other fatalities listed by the state as of Saturday evening. Anyone with information related to the Mississinewa River incident or the Yorktown-area fatality is asked to contact the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office.
