Jessamine teen's body found in Kentucky River

The body of a 17-year-old East Jessamine High School basketball player was recovered late Thursday night from the Kentucky River.

Authorities had been searching for Jacob Mulcahy since Wednesday afternoon. He was found shortly before 9 p.m., according to the Jessamine County dispatch center.

The search was focused on the area where Jacob's friends last saw him, in the middle of the river, between the Jessamine and Garrard county sides, Jessamine County Deputy Sheriff Anthony Purcell said previously. That portion of the river is near the boat ramp at the end of Ky. 39 in Jessamine County.

Jacob began yelling for help, then went under and did not resurface, Purcell said.

Also Thursday, a crisis response team went to East Jessamine to help Mulcahy's teachers and classmates deal with the uncertain situation, Jessamine Superintendent Lu Young said.

"I think in some ways they are trying to have some normalcy in school because that brings its own kind of solace, but at the same time they are being very sensitive to what the kids' needs are in this time of grief," Young said.

Friday is the last day of the school year. In response to questions about why Jacob was at the river and not in class Wednesday when he went missing, Young said, "It is my understanding that he had permission to sign out of school, but I don't have any details on that."

Young said Jacob's parents are employees of the school district. His father is a head custodian and his mother an instructional assistant.

"It's really impacted those of us who work with them and love them," she said.

Nicholasville Branch920 North Main StreetP.O. Box 410Nicholasville, KY 40356

Wilmore Branch108 East Main StreetWilmore, KY 40390

This story was originally published May 30, 2013 at 3:25 PM with the headline "Jessamine teen's body found in Kentucky River."