North Carolina Town Shaken as Missing Autistic Boy Found Dead in Pond

In a tragic turn of events, authorities in North Carolina have discovered the body of Zachariah William Walker, an 8-year-old autistic and non-verbal boy who had been missing from his home in Ronda, a quaint town about 45 miles northwest of Winston-Salem.

The Wilkes County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Zachariah was found dead in a small pond near his home just before noon on Wednesday. The boy had been reported missing by his family on Tuesday, leading to an extensive search effort that involved over three dozen local and state agencies, community volunteers, and friends and family. The search lasted more than 16 hours.

"We want them to know and to feel like we were here in a positive way, to support and come to a positive outcome, and even though we did not, we want to know that we brought closure and that they're in our thoughts and our prayers, and we want to support them to the best of our ability," said Wilkes County Emergency Medical Services Director Jason Reavis in an interview with WXII-TV.

Foul Play Not Suspected, Coroner to Determine Cause of Death

Sheriff's Office Major Logan Kerr stated that foul play is not suspected, but the case remains under investigation. A coroner will determine the official cause and manner of death.

Elopement: A Danger for Non-Verbal Children

According to the National Autism Association, many non-verbal children frequently disappear in what's known as "elopement" — the tendency for someone to leave the safety of a responsible person's care or a safe area. Research shows that elopement can be triggered by sensory overload or the desire to get closer to an object of curiosity.

In a review by the association, over 800 elopement cases were discovered from 2011 to 2016, with nearly a third resulting in fatalities or requiring medical attention. Another 38% involved close calls with water, traffic, or other life-threatening situations.

Other Recent Elopement Cases

On August 6, the body of Matthew Glynn, a 5-year-old autistic boy, was found in a canal in Boise, Idaho, after disappearing from his birthday party.

On the same day, a 5-year-old boy with autism disappeared in Florida, only to be rescued by a Volusia County Sheriff's Office deputy who found him in a nearby pond holding onto a log.

Contributing: Ahjané Forbes

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.