Body of missing Preston teen found in Franklin County river

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office says it recovered the body of a missing teenage hiker last seen Thursday around 5:30 p.m.

Sheriff David Fryar said they found the body of Bailand Johnson, 19, in the Cub River. around 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon. The body was found about a quarter of a mile from the Albert Moser campground, where Johnson was last seen.

Fryar said it appears Johnson somehow fell into the river and drowned. His death is being ruled an accident.

The sheriff said search and rescue teams originally started searching for Johnson Friday morning around 1 a.m. and continued until midnight on Friday. The search resumed at 8 a.m. Saturday morning until the body was discovered.

Fryar said Franklin County Search and Rescue, Cache County Search and Rescue, Utah Search and Rescue dogs, as well as air support from military and private individuals all helped in the search.

In an official statement from the sheriff’s office, it reads, “Our hearts are heavy with sympathy for the family and friends.”