At this tragic time, “our hearts go out to the Lucas family and the city of Dayton mourns the passing of this precious young life,” authorities added.
Two weeks after he disappeared while fishing with relatives in Ohio, the body of a 7-year-old boy has been discovered.
The Dayton Police Department (DPD) previously reported that 7-year-old Lucas Rosales went missing from Eastwood MetroPark on April 29 shortly after 6:30 p.m. local time.
The bodies of children were discovered Saturday in the Great Miami River in the heart of Dayton, according to a joint statement from Dayton Police and Fire. Authorities said the body was pulled from the water when crews were called to the area.
Rosales’ remains are his, according to the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office (MCCO), which confirmed to PEOPLE. There is no official statement on the cause of death.
The statement said, “Our hearts go out to the Lucas family at this tragic time, and the city of Dayton as a whole mourns the loss of this precious young life.”
Rosales, who had an “infectious” laugh and a “bright smile,” was described in his obituary as a “lively and beloved little boy.” He was also recalled as a “loving” young man who “touched the lives of all who knew him”.
The obituary said, “the loss of such a young life is a tragedy that no family or community should ever have to experience.”
Rosales’ location in the water is still a mystery. Police said they do not believe there was any wrongdoing.
Rosales’ sister, Da’Najiah Wakefield, previously told CBS station WHIO that she and her father advised Rosales not to get too close to the ocean before leaving to see the rest of the family.
“We just don’t know after that,” Wakefield told the newspaper. “My sister claimed she heard something fall, heard someone crying, and said she saw a splash in the water.
According to Dayton Police and Fire, Rosales’ body was discovered Saturday shortly after 5:30 p.m. local time.
To help the family “cover Lucas’ final expenses,” Schlientz & Moore Funeral Home has set up a special fund. The funeral will be held on Monday.
The obituary says, “As we mourn the loss of Lucas, let us remember the joy he brought to our lives.” Together we can honor his memory by being kind, compassionate, and helpful to those in need.
The family went on to express gratitude to the lawyers, first responders, and volunteers who helped in the hunt for Rosales.
The obituary said: “Your unwavering dedication and continued effort in the face of such grief is a monument to the compassion and strength of our community.
The loss of young life is a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the need for unity and compassion in the face of tragedy.