LAURINGBURG, N.C. -- Three days after four-year-old Raul Gonzalez went missing from his home, FBI investigators found a body in a pond near the boy's home that they "believe" to be Gonzalez, they announced in a press conference at 3 p.m. Saturday.
The pond, located at the corner of Peabridge and Crestline roads, is approximately 800 yards from the Gonzalez home on Village Drive.
Gonzalez was reported missing by a family member approximately an hour after it was realized he was missing Wednesday. First responders and volunteers have been searching for Gonzalez around the clock for the last 72 hours, including several Richmond County units.
Authorities announced Thursday that a dive team from Cumberland County had canvassed the pond but without any result of finding the body. Scotland County Sheriff Ralph Kersey said that he was working to have the pond drained to continue the search after multiple K9 search units led investigators to the pond, making it an area of interest.
The FBI, which has been assisting the Scotland County Sheriff's Department in the search, said Gonzalez's family has been notified.
Currently, the Scotland County Medical Examiner's Office is working to confirm the body's identity and a cause of death.
The FBI will hold an official press conference at 5 p.m. with the media to discuss its findings. The Richmond Observer will continue its coverage as more details emerge.
