Photo: Courtesy Ian Ritch
Officials in North Carolina have confirmed that the body found last week in a creek is ofMaddox Ritch, the6-year-old boy with autism who went missing from a Gastonia parkon Sept. 27.
An investigation into the boy’s death is ongoing. Autopsy results are not yet complete and when autopsy results will be complete is not known at this time, according to the statement.
“Investigators remain committed to finding answers about where Maddox was, how his movement occurred and how his body ended up in Long Creek,” the statement continued.
FBI agent Jason Kaplan said Thursday it is “too early” to say whether foul play is suspected. City officials confirmed to PEOPLE that Maddox’s parents, Carrie and Ian Ritch, were cooperating with police in the investigation.
“Please, don’t spread rumors, theories, or speculation on social media about Maddox Ritch,” officials with theFBI in Charlotte tweeted on Monday. “The investigation is ongoing, we are working hard to determine how he got into the creek.”
Gastonia Police Department
Maddox, who has autism and limited verbal skills, was walking with his father and another adult at the park around 1:30 p.m. local time on Saturday, Sept. 27, when he took off running.
Maddox Ritch Was ‘Skipping, Jogging, Being a Kid’ the Day He Disappeared, Says Parkgoer
Maddox’s father, Ian, previously told PEOPLE that he and his friend were walking with Maddox near the lake that afternoon when the playful boy took off running behind a jogger. It was common for Maddox to run around, so Ian allowed the boy to jog ahead for fun, he said. But when Maddox began running faster, Ian said he took off after him and wasn’t able to catch up with his son before losing sight of the boy.
Courtesy Ian Ritch
The days-long search for Maddox ended in tragedy on Thursday when officials found his body in a creek just one mile from the park where he disappeared.
A woman says that she interacted with Maddox on the Saturday that he went missing.
Sheppard said, “I can remember [my mother] looking over and asking him, ‘Hey buddy, are you tired?’ because he had just been skipping, jogging, being a kid.”
Maddox’s visitation will be held on Thursday, Oct. 4 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home in Huntersville, North Carolina. His funeral will be held on Friday, Oct. 5 at 11 a.m. A private burial will also take place.
source: people.com
