Drake McCain, a popular American Idol judge, resorted to social media late Monday night to convey the devastating news that his 19-year-old sister had drowned in a Tennessee lake.
Madison ‘Maddie’ Taylor, a young woman identified as Madison ‘Maddie’ Taylor, was believed to have entered the water from a boat in the Watts Bar Lake region to swim but did not surface, according to a Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (TWRA) official, according to ABC9 News.
The Rhea County Sheriff’s Office, as well as multiple rescue organizations and dive teams, were looking for the teen late Monday night above the Rhea County dam.
Officials say her body was discovered shortly after midnight on Tuesday.
The Rhea County Medical Examiner’s Office received her body.
McCain, 20, asked for prayers and asked that people respect his family’s privacy during this difficult time in a Facebook post.
‘My lovely baby sister… I’m at a loss for words. ‘There are no words,’ he wrote. ‘All I want to do is hug you and kiss your beautiful face!’ I’m not sure why GOD took you, but I’m confident you’re in a better place, looking down on us. You were an inspiration to me and a lot of other people, and you had the best heart I’ve ever seen.’
He continued: ‘We will never forget you, the memories, or that beautiful contagious smile. I love you so much, forever and always Bean. Until we meet again my precious baby sis!’