A lacking 12-year-old boy with autism doubtless died following an alligator assault, police mentioned Wednesday. A virtually two-week-long search resulted in his physique being present in a New Orleans canal this week.
Bryan Vasquez was first reported lacking on the morning of Aug. 14, after he reportedly escaped by means of a bed room window on the East facet of town, the New Orleans Police Division mentioned. Vasquez, who’s nonverbal, was seen on doorbell digicam footage sporting solely a diaper and strolling down the road alone, round 5:20 a.m. native time that morning. His physique was discovered on Tuesday, situated by a drone.
In consequence, the case has now transitioned from a lacking juvenile investigation to an unclassified dying investigation led by the police division’s murder division, the spokesperson mentioned.
“Detectives are actively pursuing every lead and reviewing all circumstances surrounding Bryan’s death,” the spokesperson mentioned. “At this time, no individual has been charged or identified as a suspect. The investigation remains open and active, and updates will be shared as they are confirmed.”
Neighbors and pals of the Vasquez household searched Village De L’East in New Orleans, on Aug. 17, 2025, for Bryan Vasquez, age 12.
John McCusker / AP
The boy’s mom, Hilda Vasquez, had instructed The New Orleans Advocate/The Instances-Picayune that her son would usually sneak away from their house to go to a playground close by. Nonetheless, they’d just lately moved to a brand new home.
Bryan’s disappearance prompted a large search that included a number of companies, volunteers, airboats and bloodhounds.
As native and state crews combed the realm, criticism mounted over the New Orleans Police Division’s delayed response. Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick mentioned that there was an almost five-hour hole between when the boy was reported lacking and an officer arriving on the scene. The boy was discovered about 200 yards from the place the search had began. Kirkpatrick mentioned it’s doable his physique resurfaced after he died, which is frequent in drowning deaths.
Kirkpatrick mentioned she has requested the Louisiana Division of Wildlife and Fisheries to take away “nuisance” alligators from the realm the place Bryan was discovered.
In line with the wildlife company, hunters seize and take away greater than 1,000 nuisance alligators yearly in an effort to attenuate encounters between the alligators and people. Louisiana is house to the most important alligator inhabitants within the nation.
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