Autopsy For Maddox Ritch: Child Attacked By Animal After Drowning

The Latest:

Autopsy reports claim Maddox Ritch died from probable drowning.  However, the child was attacked by an animal after his death.

Gruesome details say the animal caused large wounds to the lower part of his face and his arms.

WARNING: GRAPHIC DETAILS See the full autopsy by clicking HERE.

The Gastonia Police Department released the following statement:

The Gastonia Police Department and the FBI have spent countless hours investigating the disappearance and death of 6-year-old Maddox Ritch. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) recently completed and published the results of the autopsy on Maddox’s body. The report, completed by the Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner’s Office states, “In conjunction with investigative information at this time, which gives no indication of other than an accidental drowning, it seems reasonable to conclude that the likely cause of death is drowning.” The Gastonia Police Department is grateful to the Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner’s Office for its thorough and detailed work.

“We appreciate everyone’s patience and support while we worked to uncover every piece of evidence available to bring our death investigation to this conclusion. I ask for continued prayers for Maddox’s family and everyone touched by this child’s tragic death,” said Gastonia Police Chief Robert Helton. “We appreciate our many law enforcement, search and rescue partners, and countless others who assisted us in the search for Maddox. We do not anticipate any criminal charges being filed in connection with the investigation.”

Original Story (Posted October 1, 2018):

GASTONIA, N.C. — Gastonia Police have received confirmation on the identity of Maddox Ritch from the Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Maddox was reported missing on Saturday, Sept. 22, and after a six day search of Rankin Lake Park and surrounding areas, a body believed to be Maddox was found in Long Creek on Thursday, Sept. 27. The medical examiner has confirmed that this is Maddox. Autopsy results are not yet complete and when autopsy results will be complete is not known at this time.

“We are deeply saddened to learn the body found by searchers last Thursday is confirmed to be Maddox Ritch,” Gastonia Police Chief Robert Helton said. “Hundreds of people searched tirelessly for this child and our work continues to answer every question we can about his tragic death.”

Investigators remain committed to finding answers about where Maddox was, how his movement occurred and how his body ended up in Long Creek. Anyone who was at Rankin Lake Park on Saturday, Sept. 22, who has not already called needs to call the Gastonia Police tip line 704-869-1075.

Rankin Lake Park will re-open to the public Wednesday, Oct. 3 since being closed Saturday, Sept. 22, when Maddox was reported missing.