MURRAY — Police confirmed Tuesday that a body found in the Jordan River on Monday is that of Kayelyn Louder, a Murray woman who had been missing for nine weeks.
A medical examiner determined that the badly decomposed body, found by crews working on a drainage pipe in West Valley City near 3300 South and 1200 West on Monday morning, was Louder's, Murray police said. No details about the cause of death were released Tuesday.
Louder, 30, was last seen when a surveillance camera captured her leaving her condo in Murray on Sept. 27, walking away barefoot in the middle of a rainstorm. Police later reported that Louder had made several confused 911 calls prior to her disappearance.
The search for Louder spurred a flood of volunteer efforts by strangers across the state. Her body was found about five miles from her condo.
Amy Fugal, Louder's cousin, said on behalf of the family Tuesday that while they were heartbroken to learn of the vivacious woman's death, they were grateful to finally have answers.
"We hope that through all of our efforts that she has been able to see how much she is loved and cared for," Fugal said. "We do believe we will be with her again someday and find some comfort knowing she is with the family that has passed on before her. We are forever grateful to the volunteers who have helped us in countless ways over the past nine weeks."
Joe Cooling, who has known Louder since the fourth grade, shared fond memories of her, wishing the outcome had been different.
"She was always smiling. She was such a goof in the best, most endearing way," Cooling said. "When it hits, it's almost even harder because now you lose hope that she's OK."
It remains unknown how or where she entered the water. Louder’s family hired two private investigators who said the creek that runs through Louder’s condominium in Murray flows into the Jordan River. The creek in that area had been searched.
Contributing: Sandra Yi
Email: mromero@deseretnews.com, Twitter: DNewsCrimeTeam