8-year-old boy drowns swimming with friends, cops say. ‘Heaven sure gained an angel’

An 8-year-old boy known for his love of anime and caring personality drowned in an Arkansas river while swimming with his friends, authorities said.

Layton Boyster was swimming in the St. Francis River around 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 22, when he went under water and did not resurface, according to the Clay County Sheriff’s Department.

First responders from multiple agencies began searching for the boy, whose body was pulled from the river more than four hours later, the sheriff said.

Clay County Sheriff Ronnie Cole offered his “deepest sympathy” to Layton’s family.

Layton was entering third grade at Piggott Elementary School in northeast Arkansas. His mom, Ashley Boyster, said Layton was “super into” anime, including “Dragon Ball Z” and “Naruto.”

“You always knew when I’d had a bad day and would make it your mission for me to feel better,” Ashley Boyster said in a Facebook post. “You are protective of everyone and everything you love. You are way too smart for your own good. Your laugh, your smile, your words and hugs will never be forgotten.”

A funeral will be held Wednesday in Kennett.

Layton’s grandmother, Sherry Boyster, said “life won’t be the same” without Layton and his personality.

“I can’t even begin to understand,” she said. “Heaven sure gained an angel.”

This story was originally published July 24, 2023 at 8:49 AM with the headline "8-year-old boy drowns swimming with friends, cops say. ‘Heaven sure gained an angel’."