A nine-year-old autistic boy was discovered dead in the waters near the IKEA Red Hook store in Brooklyn, New York, after getting separated from his parents.

The non-verbal boy had been visiting the Swedish furniture store with his parents on Wednesday, August 16. He wandered away from them shortly before 10 pm and was reported missing. In response, law enforcement officials launched an extensive search operation, using drones, K9 units, and boats to locate the child. His identity has not been released.

Footage from the store’s security cameras showed the boy leaving from the back of the store and walking towards the boardwalk and pier by the Erie Basin. 

The search took a concerning turn when investigators found the boy’s Crocs in the Red Hook channel. His body was eventually located in the water near 1 Beard Street at approximately 12:15 am on Thursday, August 17. He was taken to Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. It is believed that he drowned, and there is no suspicion of foul play at this time.

An individual working nearby recounted his witnessing of the intense search for the boy and how firefighters and police officers were present, requesting camera footage from local businesses.