HEARTBREAKING END TO SEARCH FOR MISSING 7-YEAR-OLD ASHER IN TULSA

TULSA, OKLA. (TUC) — This is absolutely heartbreaking, and not the ending any of us were hoping for.

Yesterday, seven-year-old Asher went missing from his home in Tulsa near 45th St. North and North Delaware Ave., prompting a massive search to bring this little boy home.

More than 200 law enforcement personnel searched the area surrounding his home. A helicopter was brought in, multiple drones were searching from above, and search dogs and their handlers were on the ground. Members of the community also showed up to help, because when a child goes missing, you hold onto every bit of hope that they are somewhere out there waiting to be found.

Sadly, Tulsa Police later announced that Asher had been found, but not in the way everyone had prayed and hoped for.

A search dog and their handler located Asher near a creek. Tragically, he was deceased.

The Medical Examiner’s Office will now conduct an autopsy to hopefully provide some answers about what happened to Asher. At this point in the investigation, authorities have said they do not believe foul play was involved.

There really aren’t words that can make something like this any less heartbreaking. We know so many people were watching, waiting and praying that the next update would be the one saying Asher had been found safe. We wish more than anything that was the update we were sharing with you this morning.

Please keep Asher’s family and everyone who loved this little boy close to your hearts today. And to every officer, first responder, K-9 team and community member who refused to stop looking for him, thank you for making sure Asher was found and brought back to his family.

Rest peacefully, sweet Asher. You were only seven, and you deserved so many more years.