STARK COUNTY, Ohio — The body of 18-year-old Aiden Jewel was found Tuesday afternoon in a shallow pond in Stark County after he had been reported missing following a Saturday night house party.
While it's still unclear just how the teen died, his friends at Marlington High School shared memories of the young man and the life they were planning together.
“You get the text that he’s gone. I didn’t think it was true at first,” said Stephan Nutter, a close friend of Jewel.
“I thought somebody took him home and they didn’t know where he was but it was still scary at the same time,” another friend, Levi Rogers, added.
Just 18 years old, with his whole life ahead of him. Aiden’s life came to an end, leaving his group of friends with one less smile.
“He was a really good kid, a very caring person. Family was number one for him,” his friends shared with Channel 3.
They even went on to discuss future plans they had set together.
“Over the summer we even talked about getting a house together,” said Nutter.
His friends say Aiden was a great kid, but more importantly a better friend.
“He always had my back, and talked me through my problems. Lunch is never going to be the same without him.”
The boys we spoke with said none of them were at the party Saturday night, but have a little regret not being there to help their friend.
“I wish I would’ve been there so I could’ve got him out of it. I think I could’ve helped him. A lot of people at that party could have helped him,” Rogers said.
The Marlboro police chief says everyone at the party was underage and alcohol and drugs may have been consumed by some partygoers.
These young men have a message to their peers about underage drinking.
“This is a wake up call for most teens. This could happen. It’s not a joke. We never thought this thing was going to happen and it’s happening to us right now. We see things like this on the news but never thought it would happen to our best friend.
The cause of Jewel’s death remains under investigation but charges are expected to be brought forward.