News Summary
The community in New Orleans is in mourning after the body of 12-year-old Bryan Vasquez, a nonverbal boy with autism, was found in a lagoon following a two-week search. Bryan went missing after reportedly exiting his bedroom window. The delayed police response to the missing person report has drawn criticism. Local volunteers, including the Cajun Navy, conducted extensive search efforts. Bryan’s school community has expressed deep sorrow over the loss, and discussions on improving resources for vulnerable children are underway.
New Orleans – The body of 12-year-old Bryan Vasquez, a nonverbal boy with autism, was discovered in a lagoon near his home on Tuesday morning, August 26, 2025. Bryan had been reported missing almost two weeks earlier on August 14 after he exited his bedroom window around 5 a.m.
Before his disappearance, surveillance footage captured the boy wearing only an adult diaper, moments before he vanished. Following his disappearance, community volunteers, including members of the Cajun Navy, conducted extensive searches around the area of his home on Beaucaire Street.
The initial call to report Bryan missing was made at approximately 10 a.m. on August 14; however, the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) did not act on the report until 3 p.m., leading to a delay of five hours before search efforts commenced. This delay was met with criticism from family spokespersons who questioned the police department’s response time.
Site of Bryan’s discovery has been a point of deep sorrow within the community. The city of New Orleans extended its condolences, noting the impact of Bryan’s life on those around him. ReNEW Schools, where he was a student, mourned the loss of what they described as a “valued member” of the student body and expressed a commitment to providing support to the grieving community.
The NOPD has categorized Bryan’s death as an unclassified death investigation, with no ruling out of foul play at this stage. As part of the investigation, a search warrant was issued for the phones of Bryan’s parents, which is standard practice in such cases. However, it has been stated that the police have not threatened to remove any other children from the Vasquez family.
Following the discovery of Bryan’s remains, community members congregated near the lagoon to hold prayers and offer condolences, expressing their shared grief and disbelief that he had not been found sooner despite the extensive search efforts that included the use of drones, airboats, and thermal imaging equipment.
As investigations proceed, the coroner has yet to confirm the positive identification of the remains due to the decomposition of the body. NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick acknowledged the confusion surrounding the police’s delay in responding to the missing person report and confirmed that an internal investigation regarding the matter is ongoing, with the results expected to be released later.
The tragic loss of Bryan Vasquez has left a void in the lives of those who knew him and has sparked conversations about the resources and protocols surrounding missing persons cases, especially those involving vulnerable children. As the community comes to terms with this loss, support and outreach initiatives are already being discussed in light of the deep emotional impact felt throughout New Orleans.
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Additional Resources
- WDSU: New Orleans Family Search Warrant Bryan Vasquez
- Wikipedia: Missing Person
- NOLA: Bryan Vasquez Dead in New Orleans
- Google Search: Missing Children Protocols
- WWLTV: Body of Bryan Vasquez Found
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Child Abuse
- FOX8: Body Found Near Home of Missing Bryan Vasquez
- Google News: Bryan Vasquez
Author: STAFF HERE NEWORLEANS WRITER
NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER The NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewOrleans.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Essence Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and Greater New Orleans, Inc., plus leading businesses in energy, healthcare, and education that power the local economy such as Entergy, Ochsner Health, and Tulane University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREShreveport.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
