An Idaho boy who disappeared from his home during a fifth birthday party Monday night has been found dead, police say.
Boise police said Matthew Glynn, who was non-verbal and autistic, was found “dead in the water” in a canal about a half-mile from his home.
“It’s heartbreaking that it has ended this way, as we had so much hope that Matthew would be found alive and well,” Boise Police Chief Ron Weinager told reporters Tuesday.
“The investigation is ongoing and there do not appear to be any indications of foul play at this time,” Boise police added in a statement.
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According to police in Boise, Idaho, a body believed to be that of 5-year-old Matthew Glynn was found in a canal in the city. (Boise Police Department)
Police said the search began on Monday night after Mr Glynn disappeared from his home at about 5.45pm local time.
“Boise Police, Boise Fire and Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue launched a massive search effort,” Boise police said, noting they brought in drones, police dogs and utility vehicles. “Detectives from the Ada County Child Abduction Response Team also began investigating, and officers conducted door-to-door searches in the area where he went missing.”
Scotty Perkins, a spokesman for Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue. He told KTVB Searchers reportedly played Glynn’s favorite song, “Wheels on the Bus,” in hopes of attracting his attention.
“In the case of non-verbal autistic subjects, they tend to show preferences and behaviors that are potentially a little more predictable,” he told the station, “so we adapted some of the strategies that were given to us.”
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According to media reports, Glynn, who had autism, disappeared from his Boise home on Monday, August 5th.
“This is not the outcome we all wanted,” Boise Fire Chief Mark Niemeyer said in a statement.
“Our hearts go out to Matthew’s family and we offer our sincere condolences at this extremely difficult time,” he added.
The Boise Police Department says multiple agencies were involved in the search for Glynn. (Boise Police Department)
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Boise police said the body found is believed to be his and “a formal identification will be made by the Ada County Coroner’s Office.”
