Body of missing Brentwood teen found in creek, family says

The family of a missing Brentwood, Mo., teen believes a body found Saturday morning in Peruque Creek is their son’s.

Samuel L. Heisel, 15, vanished from his home around midnight Tuesday, the Post-Dispatch reported. His family put out a statement Saturday afternoon saying he was the one who had been found dead. Police would not release further details without a positive identification.

“Sam was a vibrant, loving, funny, smart 15-year-old. He lit up the room with his smile. There are no words to capture how sorely we will miss him,” the statement reads.

Police in O’Fallon, Mo., found a crashed 2008 Honda Civic with suicide notes and Sam’s cell phone inside, the Post-Dispatch reported.

The body was found at about 9:20 a.m. by a search party member. The cause of death had not been released as of Saturday afternoon.

This story was originally published September 9, 2017 at 5:05 PM with the headline "Body of missing Brentwood teen found in creek, family says."