An 18-year-old man who went missing early Sunday morning in Stark County has been found dead, Marlboro Township police confirmed Tuesday afternoon.
According to authorities, Aiden Paul Jewel was at a party last Saturday night when he became "impaired," and had not been seen since around 2 a.m. Sunday. The party apparently took place at a house near New Baltimore Ice Cream.
Officials from multiple departments responded to the scene, and eventually a Summit County dive team searched a nearby pond. It was in that body of water that Jewel's body was found.
A cause of death has not yet been determined, and police say Jewel had been consuming drugs or alcohol "or both" the night of his disappearance. However, Chief Ron Devies says even if Jewel's death is ruled accidental, arrests will be made due to underage consumption and illicit drug use at the party.
"There's going to be severe penalties to all who were involved," Devies added. "My message to parents [is] your older children are the ones you have to worry about leaving alone."
The Marlington School District issued a statement Wednesday, noting that grief counselors will be available to students and staff.