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Officials in North Carolina have confirmed that the body found last week in a creek is that of Maddox Ritch, a 6-year-old autistic boy who disappeared from a Gastonia Park on September 27th.
"We are deeply saddened to learn that the body found by investigators last Thursday is confirmed to be Maddox Ritch," said Gastonia Police Chief Robert Helton. "Hundreds of people have been searching for this child tirelessly and our work continues to answer all the questions we can about his tragic death."
An investigation into the death of the boy is underway. The results of the autopsy are not yet complete and, according to the statement, they are not known yet.
"The investigators remain determined to find answers about Maddox's location, movement patterns, and how his body was found in Long Creek," the statement said.
The FBI agent, Jason Kaplan, said Thursday that it was "too early" to say whether a criminal act was suspected. City officials confirmed to PEOPLE that Maddox's parents, Carrie and Ian Ritch, were cooperating with the police in the investigation.
"Please, do not spread rumors, theories, or speculation on social media about Maddox Ritch," officials said. The FBI in Charlotte tweeted Monday. "The investigation is ongoing, we are working hard to determine how he got into the creek."
Maddox Ritch
Gastonia Police Department
Maddox, who suffers from autism and limited verbal skills, was walking with his father and another adult to the park at around 1:30 pm local time on Saturday, September 27th, when he took off.
Maddox Ritch was "Jumping, Jogging, Being a Kid" the day he disappeared, says Parkgoer
Ian, Maddox's father, had already told PEOPLE that he and his friend were walking with this man by the lake that afternoon, when the playful boy ran after a jog. It was common for Maddox to walk around, so Ian allowed the boy to run forward for pleasure, he said. But when Maddox started running faster, Ian said he had taken off after him and was not able to catch up with his son before losing sight of the boy.
Ian and Maddox Ritch
Courtesy Ian Ritch
Maddox's search, which lasted several days, ended on Thursday when the authorities found his body in a creek just one kilometer from the park where he had disappeared.
One woman said she interacted with Maddox on the Saturday of her disappearance.
Brooke Sheppard told WBTV that she stopped on Saturday, September 22 at Gaston Gastonia Park for a picnic at the church. She claimed to have seen Ritch, an autistic and limited verbal skills, while she was walking with her mother and daughter.
Sheppard said, "I remember [my mother] looking at him and asking him, "Hey buddy, are you tired?" because he had just jumped, jogged, be a kid. "
RELATED: Man in a white truck, Jogger wanted as last possible witness in the case of Maddox Ritch, 6 years old
Sheppard recalled that when Ritch did not answer and ran away, she assumed that he was going back to his guardian. But when she learned that a boy was missing, she told WBTV: "I immediately knew that it was him because I can remember to have him." seen … I can only remember it for a T. "
Maddox's visit will take place on Thursday, October 4th from 7pm to 9pm. at the Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home in Huntersville, North Carolina. Her funeral will be held on Friday, October 5 at 11 am A private burial will also take place.
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