County officials declare missing boy’s cause of death as ‘undetermined’

PHOENIX — The two-year search for 10-year-old Jesse Wilson’s body came to an end earlier this year, but determining how he died continues.

The Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office released the autopsy report for Wilson on Wednesday and declared his cause of death as “undetermined.”

Authorities said toxicology tests show the boy only had common allergy medicines in his system.

Wilson went missing from his Buckeye home in 2016.

Police treated it as a runaway case because the boy’s adoptive mother told investigators that he suffered from “learning and developmental issues” and was taking medication for it.

She said he had slipped out of his second-floor bedroom window overnight in the past.

His remains were found on a farm in Buckeye near State Route 85 and Broadway Road earlier this year. That was about six miles from Wilson’s home.

Buckeye Detective Tamela Skaggs said the remains were found in multiple areas on the farm. It was not clear how long the remains were there.

That area was searched in the summer of 2016, but was covered by water at the time, according to Skaggs.

“From the moment he disappeared through today, the Buckeye community has joined together in solidarity to help bring Jesse home by dedicating countless hours volunteering, searching and praying,” a police statement at the time said.

“We in law enforcement have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support for Jesse and are eternally grateful for the continued assistance.”

The statement did not indicate if police had a suspect, only that the investigation would continue.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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