Human Remains found in Queens believed to belong to Missing Autistic Boy

Human remains found on the night of  Thursday January 16th are currently being examined, but it is believed that they may belong to the long missing Autistic boy Avonte Oquendo, who has been missing since October.

The remains, consistent with the size of a boy his age, were discovered along with pair of 5 1/2 sized sneakers and size 16 jeans, both matching the size and descriptions of apparel worn when he was last seen.

Avonte1

Since October, the NYPD and MTA has been working together in a Citywide search for the boy,  who, suffering with a severe form of Autism, is unable to communicate verbally and care for himself.   New Yorkers across all city boroughs became familiar with his face through the dearth of scattered missing person posters.

Thursday evening, police had responded to a 911 call from an individual who discovered what seemed to be human limbs on the shore of College Point, along the East River,  some miles northeast of where Avonte was last seen.

The remains were then taken to the Queens County morgue, where the medical examiner staff work to determine as much as they can toward the cause of death.  Police investigators are still searching the area.

Featured Image:  A dive unit from the New York Police Department was searching for remains on Friday after an arm and legs were discovered along a rocky shoreline in College Point, Queens.  Credit: Jason Decrow/Associated Press
Source:  The New York Times
Print Friendly, PDF & Email