Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Ap Correspondent

Non-verbal boy who climbed out of window drowned after ‘blunt force trauma’ by an alligator

Neighbors and friends of the Vasquez family searched Village De L'East in New Orleans, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025, for Bryan Vasquez, 12, who has been missing since Thursday - (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

A 12-year-old autistic boy, missing for nearly two weeks, has been found dead in a New Orleans canal, with police saying he died from "blunt force due to an alligator" and drowning.

Bryan Vasquez, who was nonverbal, was reported missing on the morning of 14 August after he reportedly escaped through a bedroom window in the city's East side. Doorbell camera footage captured the boy, wearing only a nappy, walking alone down the street at approximately 5:20am that day.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.