Police have located the body of a 10-year-old boy in West Virginia after he went missing while hunting with his grandfather on Saturday. Wyatt Eaves-Nibert reportedly wandered away from his grandfather to look for squirrels. He never came back. A massive search ensued in Salt Creek in Mason County near Gallipolis Ferry.
Sadly, the Mason County Sheriff's Office announced they found Wyatt's body early Sunday morning, WSAZ reported. He died from an apparent gunshot wound. His family is mourning the loss of a young life, who his mother said was "too kind for this world."
More from CafeMom: Two Pennsylvania Boys on Life Support After Being Shot & Police Say Their Mom Is To Blame
Wyatt walked away from his grandfather in the woods.
The day he disappeared, the sheriff's office said Wyatt was dressed in camouflage and had a .22 caliber rifle. He and his grandfather had stopped to have lunch when he decided to take a walk. When his grandfather called out to him, he did not respond, Wyatt's mother, Adrienne Nibert, told WCHS.
"They were eating lunch together, he told grandpa he was going to walk around the road a little bit the path to see if he could see any squirrels," Nibert said.
His grandfather immediately went looking for the boy.
During his search, the grandfather was involved in an ATV accident that prompted a call to the sheriff's office. Deputies responded and the man told them he was looking for Wyatt, People reported. Volunteers, deputies, and West Virginia State Police began searching for Wyatt, who was reportedly found dead around 7 a.m. Sunday from an apparent gunshot wound.
Nibert said she doesn't understand what happened.
His mother told WCHS that even though her son was young, he knew how to handle a rifle.
"Wyatt was very trained on gun safety. He knew not to walk around without the safety off and he knew to carry the gun on his back with it pointed in the air," Nibert told WCHS. "He had very good trigger discipline."
Nibert also shared that Wyatt and his grandfather were best friends and loved to spend time together.
The family received messages of hate from online trolls.
Nibert's fiancé, Jason Krebs, shared screenshots of messages allegedly sent to the grieving mother by a woman named Dari Schmall. She was seemingly saddened by the situation and claimed the family was irresponsible.
"I hate to see any child killed. What sickens me is the so called parents who teach their kids to kill, instead of teaching them compassion. Great thing to teach a kid how to kill small animals. His grandfather must be an a—hole," one of her messages reads.
The mother responded with an emotionally fueled message telling the stranger to mind her own business. Schmall's public Facebook posts are filled with statements about the compassionate treatment of animals.
More from CafeMom: 5-Year-Old Boy Allegedly Shoots & Kills His 8-Year-Old Brother While Mom Is Sleeping
Wyatt's obituary shared a loving message about the boy.
Wyatt was a fifth grader at Roosevelt Elementary School in Mount Pleasant, according to an obituary published by Casto Funeral Home. He was known for being an avid outdoorsman and hoped to one day serve in the military.
"He enjoyed hunting, fishing, wrestling, heavy metal music and anything to do with the military," the obituary reads.
Nibert shared the obituary, and family and friends left words of love for the heartbroken mother.
"So heartbreaking so sorry prayers for comfort love you kiddo," a friend wrote.
Strangers also sent messages of support. "We do not know each other but please know my heart and prayers go out to you and your family," someone commented.
Loved ones echoed the message: "Prayers for you, your family and your grandfather and all those who knew your sweet baby. He is beautiful and I am so sorry this has happened. Lord be with this family."
According to WSAZ, Wyatt’s body was sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office. The incident is under investigation.
