Family, Friends And Strangers Come To Pay Their Respects For Maddox Ritch

HUNTERSVILLE, NC — It was a painful goodbye for all who came to the visitation for Maddox Ritch on Thursday.

The six-year-old, whose disappearance in Rankin Lake Park led to a tireless search effort, was found dead on September 28th about a mile away from where he went missing.

Family, friends, and strangers came to the visitation at Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home in Huntersville. The parking lot was completely filled with cars as hundreds of people filed in to pay their respects.

“He had a contagious smile. He was a happy child,” says Maddox’s aunt Dolores Lindley.

The family thanked those who searched for Maddox, the community for their support and those who didn’t even know him.

Doris Inman felt compelled to be one of the hundreds to come to the visitation bringing cards and balloons.

“Night after night after night I would just think about it. To me it was like my child, all children are our children. So we must love them and care for them,” says Huntersville resident Doris Inman.

Teachers from Maddox’s school, Odell Primary School, tell WCCB the entire school is shaken by the loss of the six-year-old.

Our cameras were there as Maddox’s father walked into the funeral home, hugging family in the parking lot. WCCB spoke to close family friends who say Maddox’s parents, Ian and Carrie Ritch, are doing the best they can given the situation.

Maddox’s funeral will be on Friday in the chapel of Raymer-Kepner Funeral home.