12-Year-Old Found Dead After Being Swept Away in Flash Flood Remembered as Always Having a 'Smile on His Face'
The seventh grader "always had a smile on his face," said his aunt Heather Breeden
His aunt said Jordan went with his older sister to see the flood waters for himself, then slipped and was carried away by the waterFamily and friends are remembering Jordan Sims for his charisma and cheer.
Jordan, the 12-year-old boy who went missing during a flash flood in Virginia on May 13, is believed to have died in the flood after search crews found a body around 8:45 a.m. the next morning, per a statement from Albemarle County Fire Rescue. Following the heartbreaking news, Jordan's aunt Heather Breeden told The Washington Post that her nephew was a funny, athletic and happy young boy.
"People could be in a bad mood, and he would just come in there and he would cheer you up," Breeden told the outlet. "He always had a smile on his face."
A seventh grader at Henley Middle School in Crozet, Virginia, Jordan loved basketball and golf, video games like Fortnite and Call of Duty and R&B and rap music.
Jordan's classmates observed two minutes of silence in his memory, said Breeden's daughter, who is in the same grade as her cousin. Breeden got a glimpse of a poster honoring Jordan, which simply read "Rest in peace, Jordan," and had been signed by many classmates.
"Jordan was a valued member of our Henley community. He was bright, kind and deeply loved by classmates and staff alike,' wrote Henley Principal Rick Vrhovac, per the Post. 'His loss is devastating, and we know it will affect every member of our school family in different ways.'
Breeden said Jordan had dismissed his grandmother's warning about the floodwaters and went with his older sister to see it for himself. It was then that Jordan slipped, Breeden continued, and the boy fell into the water and was carried out by the water before his sister could help him.
After searching on her own on Tuesday, May 12, Breeden joined the search crew on Wednesday morning. She told the Post that Jordan's body was found roughly 500 meters from where he first slipped.
'The rescuers … they did their job, they tried,' Breeden said in an interview, per the Post.
PEOPLE reached out to Jordan's family but did not receive an immediate response.
Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Albemarle County Fire Rescue Chief Dan Eggleston said in a statement that though the body had not been positively identified as of May 14, the discovery was a "heartbreaking outcome."
"Our hearts are with the Sims' family and loved ones," said Eggleston. "We are incredibly grateful to our local and regional partners who supported this search effort with urgency, professionalism and care."
Read the original article on People
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
18 hours ago
- New York Post
Schools must make classrooms sane again — and ditch ‘restorative justice'
For nearly a decade, New York City placed ideology over evidence in its approach to school discipline. Restorative Justice, imposed for the sake of racial 'equity,' was supposed to strengthen school culture — but instead it removed the boundaries kids need to learn and thrive. That left too many classrooms without clear expectations, consistent follow-through or real consequences, with students told to discuss or meditate on unruly school behavior rather than receiving detention, suspension or loss of privileges. Advertisement My recent Manhattan Institute report shows how NYC spent nearly $100 million on RJ programs in less than a decade — yet classroom disruptions, police interventions and absenteeism only worsened. Eliminating meaningful consequences set school administrators and teachers adrift, forced to react to emergencies instead of preventing them. Structure in a classroom means clear routines, like when to listen or when it's time to work — with posted rules explaining what students should do and what happens when rules are broken, enforced by consistent adult follow-through. Advertisement Clarity and consistency, not abstract ideals, create safe and orderly classrooms. Extensive research confirms this commonsense concept. But with RJ, teachers must manage disruptions through scripted conversations, asking students to reflect on their feelings rather than issuing consequences. They've had to 'build relationships,' not set rules and enforce expectations — so expectations disappeared from our schools. Schools can't function without structure. Every student deserves a safe, orderly classroom, and teachers need tools to achieve this. Advertisement But RJ didn't supplement school discipline; it replaced it, leaving schools without tools to manage behavior. And the students who need structure most are the ones most harmed. Every morning, the NY POSTcast offers a deep dive into the headlines with the Post's signature mix of politics, business, pop culture, true crime and everything in between. Subscribe here! As the city approaches another mayoral election, voters should be asking: Who's willing to rebuild our schools' structure? Advertisement Who's willing to say that kids need boundaries, not just conversations? Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has endorsed more of the same. 'As mayor,' he told Chalkbeat, 'I will focus on . . . restorative-justice models, which allow our students to remain in schools, learn from mistakes, grow conflict resolution skills and improve academic outcomes.' As the largest school system in the country, NYC sets a tone for the rest of the nation. Today that tone is one of failure and discouragement. Restorative justice has done enough damage. It's time for our schools to reestablish rules, order and accountability. First, we must set clear expectations and consequences across all schools, empowering principals and teachers to intervene when students jeopardize learning or safety — without waiting for central office approval. Teachers need that backup if we want them to give our kids consistency. Teachers also need training in evidence-based behavioral strategies, such as encouraging appropriate behavior, de-escalating disruptions and following through with reliable consequences. Let's redirect funding away from RJ to give teachers those tools. Advertisement Get opinions and commentary from our columnists Subscribe to our daily Post Opinion newsletter! Thanks for signing up! Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Never miss a story. Check out more newsletters To restore public trust, we need regular audits using measurable outcomes — reductions in repeat offenses, fewer emergency calls and increases in uninterrupted instructional time, for example — and to make the results public. Within the city's classrooms, daily structure is a must. Students can't learn in chaotic environments. Classrooms need clear routines, posted behavior expectations and consistent follow-through when rules are broken. Advertisement Finally, we must recognize that Title 1 schools, which serve the city's neediest and most vulnerable children, have been hit hardest by the breakdown of discipline. They should be first in line for training and resources to restore order and protect student learning. The collapse of order in our schools is a nationwide issue, as President Donald Trump recognizes: His April executive order directed the federal Education Department to promote behavior-based discipline measures. The order instructs federal agencies to roll back past guidance discouraging suspensions and reprimands over racial-equity concerns — guidance that spurred the rise of RJ in the city and elsewhere. Advertisement As Trump's order makes clear, imposing consequences isn't about punishment. It's about creating predictable environments in which students understand expectations and know adults will follow through. It's about striking a balance between compassion and clarity, and recognizing that boundaries are a form of care. New Yorkers should make school discipline a priority as they consider their vote for mayor. Advertisement Until the city rebuilds a system where all students can learn in calm, focused classrooms, children who need the most support will continue to receive the least. Restoring disciplinary structure gives every student a better chance to succeed — and New York City should lead the way. Jennifer Weber is the cofounder and co-owner of KIT Educational Consulting.
Chicago Tribune
a day ago
- Chicago Tribune
Ten years later, family still searches for Diamond Bynum and King Walker
When Lashann Walker thinks about the last 10 years, the only way she can describe it is heartbreaking. For 10 years, Walker and her other family members have searched for Diamond Bynum and King Walker — her daughter and nephew who went missing in Gary. 'I try to put it into words, and it's hard,' Walker said. 'It's a pain that lies in my heart every second and every day. I wake up every morning with them on my mind, and I go to sleep with them on my mind.' On July 25, 2015, then 21-year-old Diamond Bynum and then 2-year-old nephew King Walker went missing after they left their Gary home, according to Post-Tribune archives. The two likely went for a walk on that Saturday morning. Bynum has Prader-Willi syndrome, which leads to slow mental development, so family members had to help care for her. At the time, she was also unfamiliar with the area. 'A lot can change in 10 years,' Walker said. 'At the time, King could hardly talk. He was just a baby, saying some words, but not full sentences. … They were both just kids.' Since the disappearance, Walker said she and other family members have searched for them, and there are still no leads on what happened. 'Someone out there knows what happened,' Walker said. 'If you know anything, please come forward.' A Gary Police Department officer was unable to speak about Bynum and King Walker's case this week. Gary spokesperson Erika Blackwell sent a statement on behalf of the department, saying they recognize the disappearance with 'deep respect and unwavering commitment.' The department has worked with multiple law agencies, including the Indiana State Police and Northwest Indiana Major Crimes Task Force. 'The case remains open and active,' the statement said. 'Our investigators continue to pursue every lead, re-examine evidence, and work closely with local, state, and federal partners in the ongoing search for answers. We recognize the profound and lasting impact this tragedy has had on Diamond and King's family. Their strength and resilience continue to inspire our commitment to uncovering the truth.' Those with information can contact the Gary Police Department or submit an anonymous tip at 219-207-8477, according to the statement. Walker expressed frustration with the Gary Police Department on this case and asked them to cooperate more with her family. As of Wednesday, she had not heard anything from police about Bynum and King Walker's case. 'I know they have a lot of cases and a lot they're dealing with, but I feel like Diamond and King have been swept under the rug,' Walker said. 'It feels like they don't matter anymore, and I don't know what else to do to make them matter.' In January, Bynum and King Walker were two people recognized at a Team NWI-Independent Search and Rescue's awareness event. At the time, 82 people in Gary were missing, according to the Indiana Missing Person Bulletin. In a January statement, Cannon said the information was outdated, and it's critical for residents to have the most accurate information. 'We take every missing person case seriously and dedicate all necessary resources to locate the individuals and bring them back safely to their families,' the statement said. 'It is our goal to work with the families of missing persons to protect their privacy and ensure the integrity of each case.' Multiple families of missing people have done search parties to look for their loved ones. Walker said search parties have continued to look for her daughter and grandson, even if she's unable to go along. 'They have people searching, but I have to work, so I'm never able to search,' Walker said. 'I wish I could work on the case fully and have time to investigate, but I have to pay my bills.' Although Walker might not be able to physically search for her daughter and nephew, she won't give up until they're found. 'All I can do is try to keep their name out there,' Walker said. 'And that's what I'm doing.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Opinion - July 2025 is when the Trump era started to end
It took six months into President Trump's second term to get here, but something shifted in Trump World this month. The administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case — including its assertion that a 'client list' doesn't exist — sent tremors through the MAGA ecosystem, creating a permission structure for key players on the right to start treating Trump like a lame duck. This was a significant development, even though there are obvious reasons to view Trump this way. Constitutional limits prevent him from running again after 2024. That alone creates an expiration date on his relevance that even the most obsequious loyalists can't ignore forever. Then there's the Epstein connection, which didn't just put a fresh stink on an already scandal-soaked politician. It found him on the wrong side of a definitive MAGA narrative. It's one thing to be indicted multiple times; it's quite another to be entangled in the biggest conspiracy theory of our era. But there's something else in the air: Trump looks old. We may have grown accustomed to his ALL CAPS rants, but the physical symptoms are harder to normalize — the swollen ankles. The makeup caked awkwardly on his hands. Taken together — the reality of Trump's lame-duck status, being out of touch with much of his base and now the physical deterioration — we are left with a picture of a man whose once iron-clad grip on his party is finally beginning to loosen. The base might not say it outright. MAGA influencers certainly won't admit it — but they absolutely see it. And more importantly, they're starting to act on it. The jostling has begun. For this reason, it's no longer absurdly premature to start talking about succession. And, for my money, there are three leading contenders. Vice President JD Vance — seemingly the obvious successor — is clearly positioning himself as heir apparent to Trumpism 2.0: similar themes, better vocabulary, a little more polish and (crucially) a future. Tucker Carlson now also seems to be testing out what it would look like to actually run for office. And Donald Trump Jr. is lurking around the perimeter; the assumption is that his name will carry him somewhere, though it's not clear where (or even if) anyone would follow him. For those hoping the MAGA spell would break post-Trump, the prospects are strikingly bleak. These three men all occupy somewhat similar turf — a figure like Nikki Haley will not be not on this list. Trumpism will survive, albeit without Trump. But winning the internecine battle to lead this movement might be a Pyrrhic victory. Trump's coalition cannot be inherited any more than his celebrity status or charisma can. The coalition wasn't built to outlive 2024. It is an unruly jumble of people with wildly incompatible worldviews, glued together by little more than shared grievance and a cult of personality. It includes paleoconservative nationalists and neoconservative interventionists, Christian fundamentalists and manosphere libertines, fans of McDonald's and crunchy health nuts. And it worked, somehow, in 2024 — but only for Trump. This has always been the dirty secret of Trumpism: It's not transferrable. You could see it in the 2018 midterms, when Republicans took a beating without Trump on the ballot. You saw it again in 2022, when a rogues' gallery of Trump-endorsed candidates flopped spectacularly. The Trump base doesn't show up for the brand — it shows up for the man. So what happens when the man is gone? We're about to find out. For the first time in nearly a decade, the right is confronting a future without a clear standard-bearer. And every would-be successor faces the same paradox: To win Trump's base, you have to sound like Trump. But the more you sound like Trump, the more you remind people you're not him. It's difficult to imagine that any of the frontrunners could maintain the same patchwork coalition. Vance might be able to pick off the nationalist-intellectual set, but he lacks Trump's charisma, and gives off oily politician vibes. Tucker might dominate the culture-war lane. Don Jr. might do okay with the too-online meme crowd. But no one can put Humpty Dumpty back together again. Because the thing they're all trying to inherit — Trumpism— isn't an ideology. It's a person. This is the tragedy and farce of the post-Trump GOP: It bet everything on a single man, and now it has no idea how to function without him. Trump hollowed out the party, scorched the institutions and rewired the voter base. And he will likely leave behind a political husk that still bears his name but contains little of his animating style. Of course, Trump isn't gone yet. Republicans — thanks, perhaps, to their plans to gerrymander Texas — could still hold on to Congress in November. Maybe Trump can ultimately find a way to outrun the Epstein controversy and set the terms for the next four years. And, regardless, he could also play a vital role in picking (or sabotaging) whoever inherits his mantle. But that doesn't change the fact that his era is already ending. The spell is finally starting to wear off. And somewhere, just beneath the surface, it feels like the scramble for 2028 has already begun. The question isn't whether someone can pick up the torch. It's whether that person can prevent the flame from being extinguished entirely. Matt K. Lewis is a columnist, podcaster and author of the books 'Too Dumb to Fail' and 'Filthy Rich Politicians.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
