On Tuesday, authorities recovered a body in the Lower Niagara River, where they were searching for 23-year-old UB MBA candidate and teaching assistant Narang "David" Kim. Officials have not confirmed the identity of the body.
Saturday, Kim slipped on an algae-covered rock and dropped into the Lower Niagara River before he could grab onto something to steady himself at approximately 6:30 p.m. He was hiking with a group of friends and his mother, who was visiting from Korea, according to The Buffalo News.
Officials were called to the area near Devil's Hole after receiving reports that a body was spotted, according the Tonawanda News. As of late Tuesday night, the body was not declared as Kim.
"We still have missing people from last year and the beginning of this year," Lt. Patrick Moriarty of the State Parks Police told The Buffalo News. "We are constantly monitoring the water with all of our partners, the helicopters and Ontario Parks Police. Everyone is constantly vigilant, due to the fact that a body could appear in the Lower Niagara River."
Moriarty said Kim had stepped off the marked hiking trail, which the State Parks Police greatly discourage.
The Niagara Gorge trails are north of the world-famous Niagara Falls and approximately 22 miles from UB's North Campus. Students in the Outdoor Adventure Club (OAC), an undergraduate organization, frequently hike the area.
Students remember Kim as outgoing and popular. In February, Kim performed "Blame It On My Youth" for MBAs Got Talent, a talent show the students held at Dandelions Restaurant in Williamsville.
"David was a gifted musician and speaker," said Chris Eglin, UB Graduate Management Association president, on the organization's Facebook page. "This comes as an incredible blow to our entire program. I can confidently say that David was one [of] the most well liked and well-known members of the MBA class."
In May, Kim spent his spring break in the St. Bernard Parish region of New Orleans, La. He and 17 other MBA students and two alumni installed drywall and gardened the area, according to the UB News Center.
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