Missing Boy, 4, Was Found Dead in Creek After Dog Led Volunteers to Body. Now, Officials Reveal Initial Autopsy Results

Authorities in northwest Alabama have released preliminary autopsy findings following the death of a missing 4-year-old boy, saying there is no evidence of trauma or assault-related injuries.

On Monday, Jan. 5, Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith said initial results show no signs that injuries caused the death of Johnathan Everett Boley, whose body was recovered from a creek. Speaking at a press conference shared by NBC affiliate WVTM, Smith emphasized that the cause of death has not yet been determined.

“Anything official will be pending further testing,” Smith said, noting that the investigation remains ongoing.

Johnathan was last seen on Dec. 31 around 11:30 a.m. in the 7000 block of Highway 195 in Jasper, according to an alert from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. Authorities said at the time that the child was believed to be in danger.

Sheriff Smith said deputies were alerted to the disappearance around 12:30 p.m. that day. Reports indicated that Johnathan had been with his 6-year-old brother and the family dog when he went missing. Law enforcement searched the home and launched a coordinated air and ground search involving multiple agencies.

At the time of the disappearance, the children were visiting their father during his allotted five days of visitation for the year, Smith said.

After an extensive, multi-day search involving hundreds of volunteers, Johnathan was found dead at approximately 12:55 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 2, by a volunteer search group. Smith said one volunteer spotted the family dog first, who then appeared to lead searchers to the child.

“They were shook up,” Smith said, adding that one volunteer required medical attention after experiencing a panic attack. “Obviously, you come out to do a good deed, and when you get there, you may have thought that you had fully prepared yourself for what you might come across.”

Authorities believe the dog, named Buck, stayed with Johnathan during the three days they were missing.

Meanwhile, the child’s father, Jameson Kyle Boley, is facing unrelated criminal charges after drugs and suspected explosive devices were discovered at his home during the search. On Dec. 31, he was arrested and charged with unlawful manufacture of a destructive device, a Class B felony, along with two counts of chemical endangerment of a child, which are Class C felonies. Sheriff Smith later clarified that methamphetamines were allegedly found at the residence.

“These charges are totally separate from missing John-John,” Smith said.

He added that once the investigation is complete and an official cause of death is determined, all findings will be submitted to the district attorney for review.

According to Blount County Sheriff’s Office records, Jameson Boley was booked on Friday and remains in jail as of Wednesday, Jan. 7. It is not known whether he has retained legal representation.