Grandfather: Teen Drowning Victim Was 'Lovable Young Man'

Family members were joined by the Parkview High School community Tuesday in grieving the loss of 14-year-old Jaheem McGhee, whose body was found in the Yellow River on Sunday.

On Monday, Gwinnett County’s medical examiner confirmed the family’s worst fears -- that the body discovered by a kayaker on the river was that of Jaheem, who had gone missing after trying to cross the river with some friends on November 19.

“He was a lovable young man ... ,” Daniel Knight, McGhee’s grandfather, told WSB-TV. “I’d just like to thank everyone that was praying so hard with us and for us.”

Family members said McGhee and some friends were skipping school at Parkview High School when they tried to cross the river. The friends did not report McGhee, who was last seen floating downstream, missing until the following day.

Authorities spent days searching the river for him, but to no avail. The search, which included helicopters and K-9 units, was ultimately suspended on November 23.

At about 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, a kayaker called police to an area of the river between Bending River Trail and Stone Mountain Highway, saying he’d discovered a body floating about 40-50 feet from the riverbank.

On Tuesday, Parkview Principal David T. Smith sent a letter to members of the school community about Jaheem’s death.

“It is with great sadness that I share with you the heartbreaking news of late Monday ...,” Smith wrote. “As a school, we have been troubled by this disappearance from the beginning, always hoping for a better outcome.”

Smith urged parents whose children may be troubled by the loss to contact the school, noting that counselors are prepared to help students cope with the difficult news.

“As we all know, a loss like this touches not just our students but others throughout the school and community,” Smith wrote. “I know your thoughts and prayers will be with the family of this student and our school as we cope with this loss.”