17-Year-Old Iowa Prom King Found Dead an Hour After Being Reported Missing

Unexplained circumstances have led to the death of a teenage boy who was loved and cherished by his community. Some people close to the boy have since penned touching tributes.

On June 26, 2024, the Appanoose County Sheriff released an immediate press release. The Appanoose County Law Center revealed that at around 6:13 p.m., the officers had received a 911 call. The person calling reported a possible drowning at Rathbun Lake near the Buck Creek swimming beach.

Ayden Beeson, 17 years old, went under the water’s surface and never came back up. The County Sheriff’s Office met up with the Appanoose County Water Rescue team to try and find the teenager who’d gone under.

The Water Rescue team recovered Beeson’s body at around 7:33 p.m. in 15 to 20 feet of water. The Appanoose County Medical Examiner’s Office pronounced the young swimmer dead at the scene. The Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office is assisting the Appanoose County Sheriff’s Office in investigating the case.

It was reported that the juvenile was an important part of the Centerville School District. According to Superintendent Mark Taylor, the late teenager was a leader on the football field and in his school’s hallways.

Beeson also played tennis and was voted Prom King before his spring graduation. Taylor noted how devastating it was for the community, the boy’s family, and those whose lives he was still going to touch, to have lost such a “great kid” in his prime.

The Superintendent added how nice and kind Beeson was to everyone and that he was popular. Taylor explained that he got acquainted with the late teenager due to him working for the school district during the summers.

On June 28, 2024, the school district allowed community members to come to pay their respects to Beeson. Darcie Whitlow, a Great Prairie Education Agency crisis response counselor, was at the school days after the tragic accident.

Whitlow revealed that having counselors available during mourning was key to the process. The counselor said it was good for those affected to have someone to talk to who isn’t trying to solve their issues. Someone who is just there to support and help during this difficult time.

According to Taylor, southeast Iowa was sending an amazing outpouring of support. Neighborhood schools were wearing black and red, Centerville’s school colors, to show support. The Superintendent said there were small-town rivalries on the football and baseball fields. But when a loss occurred in a community, they joined together.

The day after Beeson’s death, his coach, Tyler Baze, put up a touching Facebook post. Alongside throwback images, Baze revealed that it was an honor to coach the late teenager. The coach shared how the juvenile wasn’t afraid of hard work.

Baze said Beeson was the only Big Red Tennis player “in the modern era to place in the top 6 in conference all four years of high school.” Yet, the coach noted how besides being a great athlete, Beeson’s greatest quality was that he was himself.

Baze also revealed that the high school student was the one every coach and teacher loved. He was described as passionate and kind and gave everything he had in him on the field, court, or classroom.

The coach concluded his touching post by stating, “I’m thankful for getting the opportunity to know such a person. RIP Ayden. Love, The Chain Tickler.” Baze wasn’t the only person to publicly mourn Beeson’s death.

The day after his passing, the Centerville Community Schools’ Facebook page put up a message. Alongside a “Be Like Beeson #20” message, the school district said it was “deeply saddened” to find out about the death of one of their students.

Like Taylor, the district noted how Beeson was an active member of the school community. It said the teenager was recognized by staff and students alike because of how “genuinely kind” he was and treated everyone with respect.

Beeson spent the last two summers serving as the school district’s summer maintenance worker. He assisted in preparing the building for the fall. The district described him as a hard worker who did his best at everything.

He also left those around him with a positive impression. The school district concluded by revealing that their thoughts were with Beeson’s family and friends. Another person who gave a Facebook tribute to Beeson was Ashley Edwards.

With lots of photos and video footage, Edwards shared that the late teenager will be sorely missed. She noted how lots of tears had fallen for Beeson in the last 24 hours since his death. Edwards said the late juvenile’s loss has left a “void.”

She called him “amazing” and “truly a part” of their family. Beeson treated Edwards’ home like his own because he was welcome to do so. She noted how he was always willing to help and would play with Carsyn’s siblings like they were his own.

It seems Carsy, Edwards’ son, is the boy who was featured with him in some of the photos. Beeson had the boy’s back, and Edwards’ family had many great memories with the late teenager, more than those captured.

She revealed that her family would miss Beeson forever, and they would try to be patient to get answers on his death. Edwards shared how sadly accurate the saying was that “only the good die young.”

She wished they had been at the scene of his death because maybe they might’ve prevented the “terrible tragedy.” The woman hoped there was a way to get Beeson’s smile and light back. She referred to the tragedy as a “horrible bad dream.”

Edwards lamented how Beeson had been like a brother to Carsyn, and she’d forever be grateful for that. She noted how the late teenager will never be forgotten and will “forever be missed.”

Sadly, Beeson isn’t the only teenager who recently lost his life. However, in this case, it appears the following student was murdered by her boyfriend. Go on reading to hear more or click here.

15-Year-Old Girl Found Dead after She Didn’t Show up at Her Middle-School Graduation

The city of Lowell is grieving the tragic loss of 15-year-old Ahliana Dickey. She was found dead in her Lawrence Street home after failing to show up for her eighth-grade graduation. The incident led to the arrest of 21-year-old Trevor Bady, who faces multiple charges, including murder and armed home invasion.

Dickey was supposed to attend her middle school graduation on June 14, 2024. When she didn’t appear, her concerned family went to check on her. At approximately 6:10 p.m., her grandmother discovered Dickey’s lifeless body on the floor of a first-floor bedroom, with gunshot wounds.

Multiple shell casings nearby painted a grim picture of her final moments. Bady, a resident of Tewksbury, was identified as the perpetrator. Authorities allege he shot Dickey in her home shortly after midnight on June 14.

Bady, who had a documented history of abusive behavior towards Dickey, was arrested at a residence in Peabody without incident on June 17. He faces charges of murder, armed home invasion, and unlawful possession of a firearm.

The suspect also faces unlawful possession of ammunition, use of a firearm while committing a felony, and discharge of a firearm within 500 feet of a building. Witnesses and investigators revealed Bady had physically assaulted and threatened the late teenager multiple times in the past.

Just two days before her death, Dickey confided to someone that Bady had threatened to kill her and her grandmother and that he planned to “shoot up her house.” On the night of June 14, shortly after midnight, police received a call from a neighbor reporting a loud altercation between a man and a woman on Lawrence Street.

The caller reported hearing a female scream, “Get off me; get away from me. I don’t want to be with you anymore,” followed by gunshots. Despite responding to the scene, police couldn’t locate the fighting couple at that time.

Surveillance footage later showed Bady leaving Dickey’s home just after midnight, confirming his presence at the scene. Upon arrival at the crime scene, investigators found Dickey with multiple gunshot wounds.

The disturbing discovery left the family and community in shock, struggling to comprehend the brutal end of a promising young life. Dickey is remembered as a bright and positive individual, loved by her friends and family.

Skyla Guthrie, a friend from Lowell, described her as an inspirational figure who always lifted the spirits of those around her. “A positive person. Really positive person. If I’m down, she’ll bring me up. She wanted to do bright things in life,” Guthrie shared, highlighting the void left by Dickey’s untimely death.

Tracy Smith, Dickey’s grandmother, expressed her anguish and anger, calling Bady a “coward” and a “21-year-old monster” for his actions. Takara, Dickey’s oldest cousin, added that her death took a toll on her and their family.

Bady appeared in Lowell District Court on June 18 and was held without bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for July 30. The investigation is ongoing, involving multiple law enforcement agencies.

The family has reached out to the community for support, both financial and emotional, during this difficult time. In the wake of this tragedy, Dickey’s parents, Scott Dickey and Stephanie Wetherbee, have organized a GoFundMe campaign.

They wish to raise funds for her funeral expenses and seek justice for their daughter. As of June 21, the campaign had raised $13,579 of its $20,000 goal. The emotional outpouring from Dickey’s family underscores the profound impact of her loss and their determination to see justice served.

The community of Lowell stands with them, united in grief and the pursuit of justice for the young girl. Comments on Wetherbee’s Facebook post reflect the community’s deep empathy and support.

As the investigation continues, the community of Lowell remains shaken by the senseless act that took the life of a promising young girl on the brink of her high school journey.

This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.