‘Can’t even imagine;’ 911 call details discovery of Ellie Carder’s body after weeks of searching

TROY — A group of Troy community members searching for a missing 14-year-old girl found her body in the Great Miami River Sunday.

>> PHOTOS: Community hosts vigil hours after discovery of Ellie Carder’s body

As reported on News Center 7 at 5:00 the community’s unwavering determination to bring 14-year-old Ellie Carder home worked.

Carder was last seen on Jan. 31, near East Staunton Road and Michigan Avenue. Later that night, someone heard screaming at the ConAgra Foods on Dye Mill Road.

A week later, crews found her backpack north of ConAgra, and a large search resumed.

>>RELATED: Search resumes after missing 14-year-old girl’s backpack found in river, screaming heard

On March 3, more than 4 weeks after she was last seen, kayakers searching for Carder spotted a body.

“I’m calling in because I’m a kayaker out searching for Ellie Carder and we found a body,” a 911 caller told Miami County Communication Center dispatchers.

The 911 call brought emergency crews to a spot on the river near Route 202 and Ebberts Road.

>>RELATED: ‘Not going to be forgotten;’ Hours after discovery of Ellie Carder’s body, community hosts vigil

The caller told dispatchers that she was one of six people who were out looking for Carder in the river.

“I’m in the water right now,” the caller said. “I have a blue kayak and my husband has an orange kayak and we’re on an island.”

Carder’s dad reported her missing on Feb. 2 and Troy first responders spent weeks searching the river after finding her backpack.

But their miles-long, days-long search was unsuccessful.

>> PHOTOS: Large search underway for missing 14-year-old girl

The discovery of Carder’s body led to a vigil at the bridge where it was believed she went into the water.

News Center 7 was there Sunday night as friends and family put up markers and tied balloons to the railings.

A day later, our crews watched as people continued to come out and place items in honor of Carder.

Troy resident Brianna Slusher said Carder was nice to everyone she met, even interacting with her fifth-grade son on TikTok.

>>RELATED: ‘It’s all about coming together;’ Troy community mourning after discovery of Ellie Carder’s body

“She’s finally home, finally home,” Slusher said. “I’m a mom, I can’t even imagine what her parents are going through right now.”

On Monday, Troy Schools brought in crisis counselors for its students who may have needed someone to talk to.

We will continue to follow this story.

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Ellie Carder vigil Ellie Carder vigil (Mike Campbell/STAFF)

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