‘Once-in-a-lifetime type of person’: Hopewell schools honor 18-year-old Jayden McComber at sports awards banquet

HOPEWELL, Va. (WRIC) -- Hopewell City Public Schools honored 18-year-old Jayden McComber with an empty seat and an award at Wednesday's Winter Sports Awards Banquet, with his family receiving an award on his behalf.

On Tuesday, March 31, deputies with the Caroline County Sheriff's Office found McComber of Hopewell dead in Byrd Millpond after he had been reported missing under “suspicious circumstances” days prior.

Authorities believe McComber's death and a body that a Caroline property owner found on their land are linked, and that they are not random acts of violence and that those involved knew each other.

MORE: ‘Beautiful soul’: Family and high school remember Jayden McComber, found dead in Caroline pond

Days later, on Thursday, April 2, the sheriff’s office arrested four people -- 23-year-old Rashad Mayfield of Henrico County, 20-year-old Devonti Pettaway of Chesterfield County, 19-year-old Jaden Phillips of Richmond and 18-year-old Kennady Lambert.

On Thursday, April 9, Hopewell City Public Schools took to Facebook to share that an empty seat was left for McComber at the Winter Sports Awards Banquet held the evening of Wednesday, April 8, where they took a moment of silence to honor and remember him.

Winter Sports Awards Banquet held on April 8 honoring 18-year-old Jayden McComber (Photo: Hopewell City Public Schools)

Winter Sports Awards Banquet held on April 8 honoring 18-year-old Jayden McComber (Photo: Hopewell City Public Schools)

Coach Sarah Collins, McComber's swim coach, called the 18-year-old a "pillar of Hopewell's inaugural swim team," and said that he was "wise beyond his years."

Collins also commented that McComber was a leader for younger swimmers to look up to, citing his positive attitude and lack of complaining and negotiation during practice.

"I truly think Jayden is a once-in-a-lifetime type of person who positively influenced everyone he met, and his life and light creates ripples through many other lives," Collins shared these words Wednesday night in part. "I know I’m a better person for knowing him just a short time.”

McComber and McComber's younger brother, Jose -- who was also on the swim team -- both earned awards.

The district said Jayden McComber earned the Sportsmanship Award and Jose McComber earned MVP, with their coach presenting the family with these awards.

Both reportedly helped the team earn the men’s free relay a spot at states.

"He told me at the beginning of the season, when I was figuring out how to get as many kids competing as possible, he didn’t need to swim in the meet if it meant his brother or another younger swimmer could have a spot," Collins added.