ROSS COUNTY, OH (WCMH) — After two days of searching, the body of a missing teen has been recovered from Paint Creek.

The Ross County Sheriff’s Office identified him as 18-year-old Randon Cochran who went missing early Sunday morning.

Despite the beautiful and scenic backdrop, a woman who hikes the trails frequently said Buzzard’s Roost Nature Preserve can be dangerous, especially at night.

“It is a place where you want to watch what you are doing and be careful and take all precautions and stay safe,” said Sam Goodman.

The Ross County Sheriff said Cochran was camping with friends on a Paint Creek island that runs near Buzzard’s Roost Nature Preserve. 

Terry Russell has lived along Paint Creek for 40 years and said Cochran’s brother stopped at the creek to see if he could help.

“He told me he was camping with some buddies and around two in the morning, his buddies heard him holler for help,” Russell said. He said that’s a dangerous time to be in the water.

“Back here along the creek at two o’clock in the morning it is pitch dark.”

Search crews including a Franklin County dive team have been searching by water, on foot and by air.

His body was found around 6pm Monday.

His family told Russell those with him tried to rescue him.

“He told me one of the boys actually grabbed him, grabbed his arm, but evidentially couldn’t get him out,” Russell said.