Heartbroken father of missing autistic teen William Wall thanks community for support
The heartbroken father of a missing Victorian teenager who was found dead in the Yarra Ranges has thanked volunteers and emergency services for their search efforts.
William Wall vanished during his daily walk through Warburton Trail in Launching Place outside of Melbourne on Tuesday morning.
The 14-year-old's body was found yesterday afternoon in Yarra Junction.
Heartbroken father of missing autistic teen thanks community for support. Nine
"I wish I had better news regarding our beautiful and caring son and brother William Wall unfortunately he is no longer with us," Shane Wall wrote on Facebook.
"We don't know how to begin to thank everyone who searched and supported us in the last 48hrs, the list is endless.
"We are so fortunate to live in an amazing and supportive community."
More than 100 people were involved in searching for William.
The search included a rescue helicopter scouring through bushland from above, while searchers on horseback, bush bikes and motorcycles rummaged through dense bushland for any trace of the teenager.
Rescue crews at the Warburton Trail. Nine
William, who was on the autism spectrum, would regularly go for walks and runs on the Warburton Trail.
His father Shane said his disappearance was "out of character".
"I'd put down 100 bucks he could easily run 25-30 kilometres," Mr Wall said at a press conference yesterday, before William's body was found.
William's two older brothers and their mates were among those who had been searching to find the missing teen.
"They miss him – they've been out all night," Mr Wall said.
Victoria Police said the boy's death was "not suspicious".
The 14-year-old boy went missing in bushland in the Yarra Ranges on Tuesday. Nine
Premier Daniel Andrews today passed on his condolences to the Wall family.
"I'd just wanted to pause for a moment and on behalf of all Victorians, send our love and support, our condolences and our best wishes to the family of William Wall," Mr Andrews said at his daily press conference.
"This is a terrible tragedy and one that I think has touched every single Victorian.
"We share in your grief."
Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews expressed his sadness over the death of William Wall. 9News
The premier also praised emergency service members and volunteers who set out to find William.
"They did their very best and sadly, that's not the outcome that they or any of us wanted, but I did want to pay tribute to them," he said.
"Whenever they are called upon, they always step up and it does make you very, very proud."
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