16-year-old who died while fishing slipped along steep bank, investigators say

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- The search for a teen who fell into a creek while fishing has come to a tragic end, according to authorities.

On Monday at about 12:30 p.m., the Harris County Sheriff's Office received a call that a 16-year-old fell into the water while fishing with three other people in the 21400 block of Cypresswood Drive.

It's believed the teen was on the opposite bank when he slipped and went under. Investigators described being able to see his final footprints.

The body of water where the teen attempted to cross ranges between eight to 13 feet deep, authorities said.

Relatives identified the teen as Edwin Mejia. About a dozen family members stayed out at the scene for hours. The Honduran family said the 16-year-old had a wife and was fishing with his uncles when he fell into the water. Authorities said the teen's uncle tried to get him after he went under but was not able to.

Despite a language barrier, their grief was evident. They waited for information while wiping away tears. Then, just before 6 p.m., they got confirmation of their fears. A marine unit with the Harris County Sheriff's Office found Mejia's body.

"I would say where we located him was about 12 feet from the bank, and he was in about eight feet of water," Harris County Lt. D. Jasper said.

Search crews were able to use a remote-operated vessel, which has video and sonar capabilities, to locate Mejia's body.

The Harris County Medical Examiner will work to determine a cause of death and positively identify the body.

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