Wellsville police identify body washed up on Ohio River bank over a year later

It’s been over a year since Wellsville police asked the public to identify a body washed up on the banks of the Ohio River. Now police finally have an identity.

According to police, the body was identified as that of 17-year-old JayShawn Fountain (pictured below), a teenager who has been missing from the Pittsburgh area since February 2023.

Fountain’s body was first reported to Wellsville Police in April 2023. The body was transferred to the Cuyahoga County Coroner’s Office, where it was estimated to be that of a man between the ages of 30 and 40.

Investigators attempted to identify the body using DNA fingerprints, but were unable to do so. Police also attempted to search missing persons reports from several neighboring states, but again had no luck.

It was not until June 2024 that police were able to identify the body as Fountain’s.

Wellsville Police thanked the Newell and Wellsville fire departments, Columbiana County prosecutors and coroners, and Lisa Savage of BCI&I for their assistance in the investigation and sent their condolences to Fountain’s family.