Houseboat bucks party horror as Jesse Youd identified as overboard groomsman on Murray River

A father-of-two has died after he fell into a river while celebrating a bucks party on a houseboat, with police suspecting alcohol may have been a factor. 

Jesse Youd, 34, from Tasmania, was with friends on a houseboat on the Murray River near Mildura on Saturday night.

Four of the men on-board the boat decided to head to shore on a dinghy.

But the boat capsized after leaving the houseboat, sending all four men into the water around 11:30pm. 

Three of the men returned to the houseboat, but it wasn’t until three hours later on Sunday that the group realised Mr Youd was missing. 

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Tasmanian Jesse Youd (pictured left with his wife Sarah-Jayne Youd) drowned at a bucks party tragedy in Mildura

Mr Youd was on a dinghy with three other men. Their boat capsized early Sunday morning and Mr Youd didn’t resurface

Police were then called to Dockside Drive, Mildura to begin a search. 

Officers from both NSW and Victoria Police spent all of Sunday scouring the river for Mr Youd but were unable to locate him.

The SES in Mildura assisted police in their search efforts.

NSW Police divers arrived at the scene and began their search in the Murray River on Monday morning.

They discovered a body at 1.30pm.

While the body is yet to be formally identified, it is believed to be that of Mr Youd.

A cause of death has not been ruled, but it’s suspected that the father-of-two drowned. 

Mr Youd was staying on the houseboat for the bucks party and it’s understood he was part of the groom’s party for the wedding, 9News reported.

Officers from both NSW and Victoria Police spent all of Sunday scouring the river for Mr Youd

Mr Youd (pictured) was staying on the houseboat for the bucks party over the weekend. He leaves behind wife Sarah-Jayne and two young boys 

Tributes have been shared on social media from friends and family sending their condolences to the Youd family. 

‘My heart is broken for this beautiful little family, love you guys so much sending my strength at this time,’ April Mahoney wrote. 

‘So, so sad. Deepest condolences to all his family, especially the guys he was with, thank you to all responders,’ Rowena Crocker said. 

Mr Youd leaves behind wife Sarah-Jayne and sons Dawson and Casey, the Hobart Mercury reported. 

Officers from Barrier Police District will prepare a report for the information of the Coroner.