MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis Police recovered a body from the Mississippi River near Tom Lee Park Sunday afternoon not far from where a 19-year-old man disappeared.
Rescue crews had been looking for Pace Taylor since a rock concert at the Mud Island Amphitheater Friday night.
Police tell us they have not identified the body, but Pace’s mother, Jen Taylor, who lives in Tallahassee, FL confirmed with us that it is her son.
“He’s that kid that just texted you ‘I love you’ in the middle of the day for no reason,” Jen said. “He had two joys in his life, which was going fishing and being outdoors. He also loved to listen to Widespread Panic and other live music.”
That’s why Jen said her son died doing what he loved.
Friday marked his 10th Widespread Panic concert.
Jen says Pace was with three of his college friends when they got separated after the rock concert
She says he thought he could jump over the wall and walk through the mud, but he slipped and fell.
Pace spent 75 percent of his time in the water at his family’s lake house in Tallahassee, FL, but he may not have realized the Mississippi River was different.
“For him to look at a river and see a bank, he didn’t see anything different than what he’s seen his whole life,” his mother said.
Pace’s friend Wiley was the last person to see him.
He told Pace’s mother the he held on to a tree for several minutes before he was swept by the current.
Now, his friend is more shaken up than ever.
“He is very distraught. He was unable to drive yesterday. He of course feels a little guilt that it is his fault,” Jen said.
And as any parent would be, Pace’s mother says she wishes she could’ve been there to protect him.
“Your whole heart has been lifted out of your chest. If I could put my stethoscope on my chest, I don’t believe I could hear anything. It’s just over. I’m going to have to spend the rest of my life rebuilding from the breath up,” Jen said.
His father is also feeling the guilt.
This was the first concert he had not been to with his son.
His parents say they are working to stay strong for their children, because that’s exactly what Pace would’ve wanted.
Jen said Pace didn’t want any funeral.
He just wanted a gathering with him and his friends, and that’s exactly what his family will have on Friday in Tallahassee, FL where Taylor is from.