Updated Mar 06, 2019; Posted May 19, 2013
Owen Black has been found dead in the water in Perdido Key, Fla., according to the Pensacola News Journal.
Owen, 7 years old, was autistic and last seen in the area of the Needle Rush Point condominiums in the 17100 block of Perdido Key Drive on Friday.
Deputies said at a news conference that the boy was discovered about half-a-mile from where he went missing. Authorities believe the child went out while his parents slept. The family was vacationing.
The deputies also said that they believe he got trapped in the undertow and washed up on the beach earlier today.
A beach visitor saw Black’s body on the Gulf side of Perdido Key and called authorities.
Black was wearing the same clothes that he went missing in and they were able to identify quickly.
The Escambia Search and Rescue led efforts to find Black along with hundreds of volunteers.
From Orange Beach community website:
“Missing Child Update: We are very sad to report that Owen Black has been found in the water, deceased. There will be a press conference within the hour. We will report further following the conference.”
Sheriff David Morgan, Escambia County issued a statement via Facebook at 2:29 p.m.
“At approximately 1303 CST our search for Owen Black is concluded.
A citizen in Perdido Key observed him in the water washing toward shore. An immediate response has determined that he succumbed to drowning. There are no indications of foul play; however the standard investigative and medical examiners protocols will apply. We ask for the community and nation’s prayers for this family in mourning and our thanks are again extended to all law enforcement, military, State and Federal agencies as well as the hundreds of volunteers who responded to Owen’s call.”
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