Lone Survivor’s Anguish Spurs Search for Three Girls Lost in Missouri River
The heart-wrenching loss of three young lives has gripped the Omaha community as recovery efforts continue for Laiana Green, 18, Lah K. Tray Moo, 18, and Eh Cress Moo, 11, who vanished in the swift currents of the Missouri River near NP Dodge Park on the evening of April 15, 2025. What began as a carefree fishing trip among four girls turned into a tragedy that has left families, friends, and first responders grappling with grief and an urgent mission to bring closure. The sole survivor, a 13-year-old girl related to the missing, emerged from the river distraught, her cries alerting a bystander who called for help. As the community rallies in support, authorities have shifted from rescue to recovery, underscoring the perilous conditions of the river and the daunting task ahead.
The incident unfolded around 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday when the four girls, fishing near a boat dock at NP Dodge Park in northeast Omaha, entered the water for reasons that remain unclear. Witnesses reported seeing them struggle against the river’s powerful flow, which was moving at an estimated 9 to 11 miles per hour. The 13-year-old, later identified by family as Ehtheyu Paw, managed to reach the riverbank, where she was found crying and was rushed to a local hospital in serious condition, suffering from hypothermia. She informed responders that she was related to the three girls still missing, providing the first clue to their identities. Laiana Green, a senior at Omaha North High School, Lah K. Tray Moo, a 12th-grader in an independent studies program, and Eh Cress Moo, a sixth-grader at Lewis & Clark Middle School, were swept away, leaving behind only a pair of shoes found floating in the water.
Omaha Fire Battalion Chief Coby Werner, who described the response as the largest single-incident operation in his 20-year career, detailed the challenges posed by the Missouri River. With water temperatures hovering around 45 degrees Fahrenheit, hypothermia can set in within 10 to 15 minutes, drastically reducing survival chances. The river’s murky depths, littered with debris like fallen trees, and its strong current complicate search efforts. By Tuesday night, after two and a half hours of searching with eight boats, a police helicopter, and drones, crews were forced to pause due to darkness and safety concerns. The operation resumed at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday with a strategic grid-based approach, assigning specific river sections to agencies including the Omaha Fire Department, Bennington Fire Department, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Waterloo Fire Department later joined, deploying a flat-bottomed jet boat equipped with side sonar for a 360-degree view beneath the surface.
Throughout Wednesday, hope flickered as crews investigated objects in the water, only to find they were debris. Family members, including Shan’e Perkins, Laiana Green’s aunt, gathered at the park, their numbers swelling to about 50 by late afternoon. They prayed, searched the riverbank with flashlights, and vowed to keep the story alive. Laiana’s mother, LaShauna Green, described her daughter as a nature lover who likely jumped in to help her struggling friends, a selfless act that reflected her character. A woman claiming to be one of the missing girls’ mother took to Facebook Live, pleading for volunteers to search near the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, emphasizing the need for “all the eyes we can have.”
Authorities have expanded the search area up to two miles downstream, employing advanced tools like sonar and human remains detection dogs. Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson and Battalion Chief Werner have pledged to continue daily searches through the weekend, barring adverse conditions. The river’s hazards—low visibility, submerged obstacles, and a current that can carry someone hundreds of feet in moments—underscore the operation’s complexity. Werner noted that bodies may not surface quickly in such cold water, preparing families for a prolonged wait.
The Omaha community has responded with an outpouring of support, holding vigils and sharing messages of solidarity. Authorities have urged the public to stay clear of the river to ensure the safety of search crews and to respect the families’ need for space. As the recovery mission presses on, the resolve of first responders and the resilience of loved ones stand as a testament to the community’s strength in the face of unimaginable loss. For now, the Missouri River holds its secrets, but the commitment to finding Laiana, Lah, and Eh remains unwavering, a somber promise to bring them home.
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