BEAUMONT, Texas — A 23-year-old missing swimmer whose body was found in the Toledo Bend Reservoir over the weekend has been identified.
Noah Roden, 23, was identified as the missing swimmer whose body was found, according to a news release from the Newton County Sheriff's Office.
Roden was part of a group from Lamar University attending a ministries camp, according to the sheriff's office.
The university, which confirmed in a statement that he was a current student, is offering counseling services to students at the Lamar University Student Health Center.
A caller to the Newton County Sheriff's Office just after 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 10, 2024, reported that Roden had gone missing while swimming in the reservoir near the 100 block of East Ridgecrest, the release said.
The caller told dispatchers he had last been seen near the dock while swimming toward a floating platform before they lost sight of him.
Game wardens, Toledo Bend and Bon Wier volunteer firefighters and residents with boats searched for Roden in the area until about 9 p.m. Saturday night when the search was postponed due to darkness according to the sheriff's office.
The search resumed Sunday morning at about 8 a.m. and by about 9:25 a.m. his body was found by game wardens and Bon Wier firefighters.
Statement from Lamar University...
We are deeply saddened by the loss of a current student and are committed to supporting our campus community. We have implemented a comprehensive support system including grief counseling to ensure that those affected have access to the necessary resources during this difficult time.
We encourage students affected by this tragic loss to reach out to the Lamar University Student Health Center for counseling or guidance services. The Student Health Center can be reached at (409) 880-8466.
In addition, the Lamar University partner TimelyCare, a virtual counseling platform, provides 24/7 on-demand virtual mental health services to enrolled Lamar University students who are taking classes on campus. This service is offered at no cost to the students.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
