Frantic search for boy who went missing on hunting trip ends in tragedy

A family from West Virginia has been left distraught after a 10-year-old boy was sadly found dead not long after he went missing while on a hunting trip with his grandfather.

The Mason County Sheriff’s Office told the West Virginia Metro News that the young boy, Wyatt Eaves-Nibert, went missing Saturday morning in Point Pleasant.

Police were initially called to an ATV accident that happened after Wyatt went missing, and involved his grandfather.

In a statement regarding the boy’s disappearance, the Sheriff’s office said that he had been wearing camouflage clothing and carrying a .22 caliber rifle.

South Heidelberg twp., PA – November 13: Jon Clemente, of Lower Heidelberg, holds one of his arrows. At the Lebanon Valley Sportsmen Association in South Heidelberg Township Friday afternoon November 13, 2020 for a story about Sunday hunting. (Photo by Ben Hasty/MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images)

The young boy’s mother, Adrienne Nibert, said that her son had been on a squirrel hunting trip with his grandfather and the pair were eating lunch together when Wyatt told his grandfather that he was going to go for a walk to look for squirrels.

After finishing his lunch, the grandfather apparently called out for his grandson, but could not find him.

“Wyatt was very trained on gun safety,” she told WCHS. “He knew not to walk around without the safety off and he knew to carry the gun on his back with it pointed in the air. He had very good trigger discipline.”

The following day, however, the sheriff’s office said the boy’s body had been found.

“The missing juvenile has been located. The case is still under investigation at this time,” the agency said in a Facebook post. “Please accept our sincere appreciation for all the volunteer help. At this time we do not need anymore volunteers. Thank you.”

NEW RIVER GORGE, WEST VIRGINIA – APRIL 7: Landscapes from The New River Gorge National Park, April 7, 2021, in West Virginia. (Photo by Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images)

So far, authorities have not disclosed whether or not they suspect foul play, per People – though, it has been reported by multiple sources that the boy was found with a gunshot would.

According to his obituary, Wyatt – who was in fifth grade at Mason County’s Roosevelt Elementary School – “enjoyed hunting, fishing, wrestling, heavy metal music and anything to do with the military.”

Wyatt left behind his parents, two siblings, two grandparents, three great-grandparents and a great-great-grandmother.

His body was taken to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for further examination, according to WSAZ 3.

What a devastating story – we are sending our thoughts and prayers to Wyatt’s family and friends at this tragic time.