RONDA, NC – A devastating outcome came to light in the case of a missing boy from Ronda, North Carolina, when the 8-year-old was found dead in a pond close to his home. Officials confirmed the grim discovery on Tuesday, shortly past noon.
Wilkes County Emergency Management, Ronda Fire Department, Wilkes Rescue Squad, and Wilkes County Sheriff’s Office were the primary agencies involved in the search for Zachariah “Zach” Walker. Neighbors also assisted in the search operation, which aimed to limit unnecessary foot traffic in the area.
According to Zach’s grandmother, he was severely autistic and non-verbal. She described him as a “happy child,” although he was known to not respond well to yelling and had a rapid gait. The young boy was last seen by his family on Tuesday.
Additional support during the search came from the Ashe County Sheriff’s Office, which dispatched three K-9 units for assistance. In a show of community support, the Jonesville Police Department also organized a prayer at the town hall’s flag pole at noon.
As the primary question of how Zach managed to walk away from his home still remains, the sheriff’s office is coordinating with the family to establish the circumstances that led to his disappearance. Nonetheless, emergency services have ruled out suspicions of foul play in the tragic incident.
Director and Coordinator of Wilkes County Emergency Services, Jason Reavis, highlighted that nearly 30 agencies from Wilkes County and adjacent regions, along with state agencies, participated in the search. He extended thoughts and prayers to Zach’s family, assuring them of continued support.
Although the exact cause of Zach’s death remains undetermined, it has been termed as an unfortunate accident by Reavis. To ascertain the specific cause, an autopsy will be conducted considering the nature of Zach’s death and his tender age.