Authorities find body of 8-year-old boy with autism in Colorado River
Jun 3, 2018, 8:45 AM | Updated: 4:09 pm
(Bullhead City Facebook Photo)
(Bullhead City Facebook Photo)
PHOENIX — Authorities in western Arizona have found the body of an 8-year-old nonverbal autistic boy who had gone missing.
The body of Jeremy Duncan was located in the Colorado River south of Rotary Park in Bullhead City early on Sunday morning.
Bullhead City Police Chief Brian Williamson confirmed later Sunday morning that the remains were those of Jeremy.
A search for Jeremy began on Saturday afternoon, after he was reported missing at 8 a.m.
Jeremy was last seen with no shirt or shoes, which was cause for major concern because of the excessive heat.
More than 1,000 first responders and volunteers searched by land, air and water for the boy into the nighttime hours.
They included people on horseback, police with specially trained dogs, and rescuers in boats on the river.
During a news conference, Williamson thanked the hundreds of people who participated in the search.
He added that the circumstances of the apparent drowning are being investigated.
Bullhead City Mayor Tom Brady thanked the community for their support in a statement Sunday.
“On behalf of the Bullhead City Council, I wish to extend my sincere condolences to the family and friends of Jeremy. Words cannot adequately express the grief and loss our community feels at this terrible time,” Brady said.
“During the past 24 hours, the true spirit of this community was exemplified by the nearly 1000 volunteers who came forward yesterday and searched the neighborhood for this young boy, and who again showed up to continue the search this morning.
“I’m proud that we live in a community where neighbors are always willing to help neighbors.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
