Owensboro woman’s body recovered at Cumberland Falls

The body of a missing Owensboro woman, who had been missing since Saturday at Cumberland Falls State Park, was recovered Wednesday morning.

Whitley County Emergency Management Director Danny Moses said 24-year-old Nina Parker was discovered at about 10:00 a.m. following four days of intensive searching.

Whitley County Coroner Andy Croley said the woman was found near the beach area on the Whitley County side of Cumberland Falls.

The search for Parker began approximately 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

McCreary County Emergency Management Director Rudy Young said Parker, her boyfriend and nephew had travelled from Owensboro to visit Cumberland Falls. The trio had been hiking along trail nine, which goes from the gift shop, across the river and along the cliffs above the river in McCreary County to Eagle Falls.

Parker was reportedly jumping from rock to rock in the Eagle Falls area when she fell into the water.

“The boyfriend had turned around and when he turned back she wasn’t there,” Young said.

Rescue personnel worked until after 10:30 p.m. Saturday, picking back up about 7 a.m. Sunday and working until about 8 p.m. They were back on the scene again about 7 a.m. Monday and worked until about 6 p.m.

“More than 100 people have been involved in the effort,” Young said.

The water near Eagle Falls is fairly shallow with holes throughout that are up to 12 feet deep.

Fire and emergency organizations that have participated include: Woodbine and Whitley City/ Pine Knot Swift Water Teams, McCreary County Search and Rescue, Cumberland Falls State Park Rangers, PHI Helicopter team, McCreary and Whitley County EMS, Eagle/Sawyer Fire Department (McCreary County), Kentucky State Police, McCreary County Sheriff’s Office, Bloodhound Search and Rescue, Knott County Swift Water Search and Rescue, Lee County Search and Rescue and Estill County Search and Rescue.