Missouri Teen Dies After Saving 4-Year-Old Brother from Drowning: 'My Son Is a Hero,' Dad Says

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo: Facebook

A Missouri community is mourning the death of 18-year-old Alex Harris, who drowned last month while attempting to save his younger brother from a river.

In aFacebookpost, his father, Tyson Richard Harris, said his son died while “saving his little brother from a drowning accident.”

“If it hadn’t of been for him keeping him up until his mother got there they would both be gone,” Tyson wrote. “I love you son and I wish every second I could take your place. You are a hero son.”

In an interview withToday, Harris' mother, Nikki, said her son likely became tired while saving his 4-year-old brother, Asher.

“I watched his hands let go and he sank. I knew [the] exhaustion he was feeling,” she told the outlet. “I tried so hard to get to him faster.”

The parents told Today that Harris and Asher had a special bond with each other, even if they had a 14-year age difference.

“That was Alex,” he added. “Just someone that would help someone else out.”

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Petersen said Harris would be remembered in the town for a long time to come.

source: people.com