Law enforcement officials in Virginia have said that the search for a missing 5-year-old boy had ended tragically as the child was found in a septic system on Thursday.
The Roanoke Times noted that Noah Thomas’ body was found in a septic tank on his family’s property after authorities who had already scanned the area did a more aggressive search.
The child’s exact cause of death has not yet been determined until an autopsy is completed by the medical examiner.
The grim news came soon after police offered a $5,000 reward for information on the boy’s whereabouts.
Some have felt that the child’s disappearance was puzzling from the start and have even pointed blame at his parents, however, Pulaski County Sheriff Jim Davis said that Thomas’ parents have been cooperative.
“The parents continue to cooperate with authorities during this tragic time,” Davis said.
WFIR noted that the sheriff’s office released the following statement regarding the investigation:
“This investigation will be focused on facts and physical evidence and will not be drive [by] speculation nor rumors.”
No arrests have been made and there are no suspects in custody at this time.