'He was just full of fun': Teen lost in river remembered as happy, intelligent

The teenager who went missing in the Red River this week was intelligent and fun, his godmother says.

Tracey McKay says Jeremy Malish David, 16, loved playing basketball and was always happy.

"He was just full of fun," she said. "He was such a smart, smart teenager."

• Body found in Red River near where a Winnipeg teenager went missing
• Police searching Red River for missing teen swimmer

Police were called to the Red River, north of the Harry Lazarenko Bridge, formerly called the Redwood Bridge, about 9:10 p.m. on Aug. 15. A witness told police the teen had swum halfway across the river before he disappeared.

On Friday morning, a body was found in the water near St. John's Park, close to where David was last seen.

Police have not confirmed the identity of the body but McKay said she believes it is David.

McKay said she was told that David was with friends and may have been drinking before he went into the water, but he didn't like swimming.

"He loved hanging out with friends, but he never liked water," she said. "It took me a long time to even get him in the showers when he was little."

McKay and other family members reached out to the Bear Clan Patrol and Drag the Red, a volunteer group that searches for bodies in the Red River, to help in the search earlier in the week. Volunteers from the group spotted the body on Friday.

McKay said while the family is devastated, they are thankful to have closure.

"We have closure now that we've found him but we are trying our best to grieve. We are trying to hold together and be there for each other," she said.

It's even more difficult since the family has experienced a string of tragediesand loss. David, who was Anishinaabe and Sudanese, had recently lost his grandmother and grandfather. His father also died when he was young.

McKay said with all of the loss her family has gone through, she just wants people to hold their children close.

"Watch your kids close," she urged. "Listen to them, be there for them. Hopefully they don't end up like Jeremy did. Just be there for them, even if they are on drugs or alcohol.

"Never close your door to your children."