In a heartbreaking development, the search for a missing 12-year-old boy with autism has ended in tragedy. Police confirmed that Bryan Vasquez likely died due to an alligator attack after his body was discovered in a canal in New Orleans earlier this week. The extensive search, which lasted nearly two weeks, began when Bryan was reported missing on August 14.
According to the New Orleans Police Department, Bryan Vasquez escaped from his home through a bedroom window on the city's East side early that morning. The nonverbal boy was captured on doorbell camera footage around 5:20 a.m., wandering alone and wearing nothing but a diaper. His disappearance prompted a massive search effort involving multiple agencies, volunteers, airboats, and bloodhounds.
Bryan's body was located on Tuesday by a drone search team. The Orleans Parish Coroner's Office conducted an examination and determined that his cause of death was drowning, compounded by blunt trauma indicative of an alligator attack. This finding has shifted the focus of the investigation from a missing juvenile case to an unclassified death investigation, now being managed by the police department's homicide division.
The police spokesperson stated that detectives are diligently pursuing every lead and examining all circumstances surrounding Bryan's tragic death. At present, no suspects have been identified, and the investigation remains open and ongoing, with updates promised as new information emerges. Bryan's mother, Hilda Vasquez, revealed to The New Orleans Advocate/The Times-Picayune that her son often enjoyed sneaking away to a nearby playground, although they had recently moved to a new home.
As the search operation unfolded, criticism arose regarding the New Orleans Police Department's delayed response. Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick acknowledged that there was nearly a five-hour delay between the time Bryan was reported missing and when officers arrived at the scene. Notably, Bryan's body was discovered about 200 yards from the initial search area. Kirkpatrick indicated that it is possible his body resurfaced after drowning, a common occurrence in such tragic incidents.
In a separate statement, city officials described Bryan as a vibrant and charismatic child whose joy touched the lives of many within his family and community. In response to this tragic event, Chief Kirkpatrick has requested that the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries take action to remove nuisance alligators from the area where Bryan was found. Each year, the agency captures and removes more than 1,000 nuisance alligators to prevent dangerous encounters between humans and these reptiles, which are prevalent in Louisiana, home to the largest alligator population in the United States.
The loss of Bryan Vasquez is a devastating blow to his family and the community. As investigations continue, there is a pressing need for enhanced safety measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The community mourns the loss of a bright young boy whose life was cut tragically short.
