The search for a missing 8-year-old boy ended in heartbreaking fashion. Ryan Akagbusi disappeared on Saturday and his body was found the next morning.

“I pray for the family and may the child rest in peace,” said Ernest Mbalanya, a resident of the Richmond district.

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A tragic end to the search for a missing autistic child.

“We found him in the southeast corner of this pond,” said Mark Edwards, Texas EquuSearch’s operations manager. “For people with autism, water is often a real experience. It’s an attraction. So this was the most logical solution.”

A specialized search and rescue team was deployed to help locate the missing child and, using sonar technology, they were able to locate his body.

“The water is 75 centimeters deep. The sonar, the return signal, is so distorted in this shallow water. That was the biggest challenge,” said Edwards.

The community came together to support Akagbusi’s family and assist in the search operation.

“It’s a very sad situation. I mean, it’s very unfortunate for parents to lose their child in such circumstances,” Mbalanya said.

The Richmond community and EquuSearch ask for prayers as the family grapples with the tragedy.