Woman, 26, who vanished from party found dead in water
A woman’s body has been found days after she went missing during a night out with friends for her birthday.
Tara Savannah Payne’s body was found in a harbour in south Baltimore in the US state of Maryland on Thursday afternoon during a three-day search for the missing 26-year-old, according to CBS Baltimore.
Ms Payne was last seen on Tuesday during a celebration for her birthday. At some point in the night she became separated from friends.
Her car was later found where she had parked it and her purse was found in a nearby street.
Baltimore police began searching the water near The Lighthouse Point Marina on Wednesday (local time) after they believed the 26-year-old had fallen into the water.
Residents in the area said they heard a commotion in the area at the time Ms Payne went missing, the publication reported.
Officers have not confirmed if those reports are related to her death.
"At this time recovery efforts are still ongoing. Her remains will be transported to the Medical Examiner’s office where an autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of her death,” Baltimore police said in a statement.
Ms Payne’s dad, former firefighter and diver Jimmy Payne, said his daughter “loved everyone”.
“Savannah is in love with the beach like I am. Her passion is the beach, being with her friends, being with her family.
“She loves Taco, the family dog, and she loves her brother,” he said.
Colin Koogle, a friend of the 26-year-old, said he’s confused as to what happened to her on what was supposed to be such a special night.
“She was going out for her birthday, and she was going out to have fun,” he told CBS Baltimore.
“I don’t know what the hell happened and that right there is not where she should have been.”
An investigation is ongoing.
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