That of Bryar DeJaynes, 19, from Milton in Pike County, Illinois, is a story touching many in his community. What began as a normal night out quickly turned into a nightmare search and ended with a young life full of promise found to have been cut short. This article outlines the timeline of events; the endeavors and persistence of the community in their search for Bryar are brought to light, along with the resulting grief of his untimely death.
Routine Outing Ends in Tragedy
Sunday, May 12, 2024, was the day Bryar DeJaynes had in mind for a day out at the river, most probably something familiar and comforting for the young fisherman. At around 5:30 p.m., DeJaynes telephoned his granddad to tell him he was going to the river with his two favorite dogs, named Poppy and Killer. It was one of those usual talks, neither involving tragedy.
That afternoon, he was cited at a convenience store in Pearl, Illinois for the purchase of fuel for his boat. Pearl is a small village located south of Milton in Pike County. This is the last place anyone saw Bryar alive.
The Search Begins
It was not until a couple of hours passed without the family hearing a word from him that they started to get concerned. His mother, Sarah DeJaynes, took to social media expressing this concern, asking the community to help her search for her son. He had said he was going to be out all day and had last been seen pulling off the river for fuel.
On May 14, 2024, Bryar’s boat, truck, and trailer were found near the Glades—a locale of loneness and, at times, very poor crossable terrain. It was at this point that his discoveries without him or his canines exacerbated the family’s concerns, along with concerns of the community at large.
The Community Rallies Together
The search for Bryar DeJaynes quickly became a group effort. Headed by the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office and supported by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, a broad search was opened. Touched by the situation, the community also made its move, as many volunteers came to the search for the missing child. Among them is the person who eventually found the body of Bryar.
Three days passed, and difficult, dense areas around the Illinois River, including those near Pere Marquette State Park in Jersey County, were meticulously swept through. What was the dard condition? So bad, that not for once did the hope from the searchers lessen-few though they were, they had to scour the area in hopes for bringing Bryar back to safety.
The Tragic Discovery
It was Thursday, May 16, 2024, when the exhaustive three-day search came to its worst conclusion. Bryar DeJaynes’ body was found in a remote stretch near the Illinois River in Jersey County, north of Pere Marquette State Park. Word of the discovery quickly spread, ending hopes within the community that it would be otherwise.
When asked to comment, Jersey County Coroner Kevin Ayres mentioned finding the remains and that an autopsy was scheduled to establish how he died. The community still had many unanswered questions regarding Bryar’s death and was anxious to find out more about their missing person.
Losing a Promising Young Life
The death of Bryar DeJaynes is mourned by everyone who ever knew him. His family wrote in his obituary that he was a “young fisherman” who enjoyed the simple things in life: fresh air and time spent with family. The obituary also had deep underpinnings of faith, noting that he was “called by Jesus to come follow him” on the day he died.
His community greeted the discovery of his body with a torrent of sorrow; it was a reminder of how life can be very fragile and turn people’s way in any moment. During that time, one of the dogs who belonged to Bryar, a lurcher, was found and returned to the family. Another dog, a black Labrador retriever named Killer, was still missing at the last report. The search for Killer continued while the family held on to hope for at least one more reunion in the midst of their intolerable pain.
Remembering Bryar DeJaynes
As the Milton community and surrounding areas attempt to grapple with the loss of Bryar DeJaynes, it is the memories of a young man that the family and friends have held dear. His story has extended well into communities around the world and has touched a heart or two that he would never have known of personally.
Tragedy often reveals the mettle of a community. The outpouring of help for Bryar’s family, the searching parties who conducted searches tirelessly in the middle of the storm, and the corporate grief to be shared at his loss demonstrate the closeness the area indeed is to being a community. The lessons of community, love, and faith extended even beyond when Bryar passed in darkness.
So, as the investigation of his death and that one person who made that ultimate mistake continues, Bryar will be remembered for the kind, adventurous soul he was, way too early in leaving but never forgotten. His legacy would still live on in the fond memories of friends and in that community that is joined together at this critical moment.
