BEAUMONT, Texas — The body of a 19-year-old Beaumont man was found Wednesday in the LNVA Canal near Highway 105 in Beaumont.
The body of Jayden Knighton, 19, of Beaumont, was found just before 11 a.m. Police and the his family confirmed to 12News.
Preliminary investigation showed his death was a suicide, police said.
"We [were] here fully supporting him on whatever that he wanted to do. So this is very unexpected and you know a tragedy," said Jasmine Knighton, the sister-in-law of Jayden.
Jayden, who graduated from Beaumont United High School in 2023, was identified by family.
"[He was] trying to figure out which way he wanted to go after he graduated. So he started looking for little jobs here and there. You know, he was talking about different things he wanted to get into," Jasmine told 12News.
Divers had been searching the waters of the LNVA Canal since early Wednesday morning for the man who was seen jumping into the water.
Just before 3 a.m. Wednesday morning officers were sent to the area of Texas Highway 105 and R.F.D. Rd in Beaumont after a man was reported to have jumped into the waters of the LNVA Canal, according to a news release from police.
Witnesses said the 19-year-old man was involved in a disturbance before he jumped into the water and appeared to be intoxicated police said.
"This is very shocking to us I guess. We didn't really see this happening," Jasmine Knighton said.
Jayden's family wanted to highlight the importance of checking in on your loved ones. 12News spoke with experts at the Rape and Suicide Crisis Center of Southeast Texas.
"Just give them your time and you never know how that would drastically change somebody's life. Or their, you know, mental at that time," said Ashley Hasson, Education Specialist at the Rape and Suicide Crisis Center. "It's about mental health in the community. And putting our focus into that. And that's going to create a place where we can talk about suicide. And we can have that open communication as a community."
Crisis Center Executive Director Ruby Laeday says it's important to look for warning signs in your loved ones.
"]It] is like emptiness when people feel hopeless, sometimes people have been bullied. [There] can be no reason, have the thought of no reason to live," Laeday said.
For about two hours all of Texas Highway 105 was shut down between U.S. Highway 69 and Major Dr. from about 3:40 a.m. until 5:30 a.m. when the eastbound lanes were opened, police said.
By 6:30 a.m. some traffic was flowing in each direction on Highway 105 as divers searched for the man.
All lanes were fully re-opened by 11:20 a.m.
Jayden's family says he'll be remembered for his kind spirit.
"He left a mark on everybody in the family. He had his own special relationship with everybody so anybody would tell you that he was a good person," Jasmine said.
GET HELP | Crisis Center of Southeast Texas
If you, or anyone you know, is thinking about harming themselves or taking their own life call the Crisis Center of Southeast Texas’ local hotline at 800-793-2273
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.