BOILING SPRINGS, NC (WBTV) – A desperate search for a 34-year-old Naval Academy graduate who officials believe was swept away in the Broad River in Boiling Springs continues.
Keenan Little was allegedly last seen by Chris and Anthony Parker, a father and son who were out fishing Saturday around 1:40 pm on the Broad River.
“We noticed something coming down the river. At first we thought it was a beaver or a goose,” said Chris Parker.
When the Parker’s realized it was a person, they jumped into the cold water to help.
Search and rescue crews have deployed helicopters and dive teams to try and find the missing Little, who officials say is not believed to be alive.
When Dorothy Wilson, Little’s 86-year-old grandma, was asked if she could say anything to her grandson, she responded with tears.
“I love you Keenan, I love you,” said Wilson.
The family and search crews are working to find out what happened in between calling his mom, coming down to this river and then being spotted by the fisherman floating down the river.
“I hope they’ll find him, I just know he’s dead,” said Dorothy Wilson.
Little’s family simply asked for prayers from everyone.
“He was like the backbone of our family and will be broke without him,” said Jason Wilson.
Rescue crews found clothing and some personal items on a rock near the river and footprints leading into the water.
Family members say Little works for the United States Postal Service and is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy. The family also says they spoke to two witnesses who saw Little in the river asking for help. According to the family, those witnesses tried to jump in to reach Little but could not.