12-Year-Old Boy Drowns During Alligator Attack in New Orleans

A 12-year-old boy who was reported missing earlier this month in New Orleans has been found deceased due to an alligator attack. Authorities confirmed that Bryan Vasquez drowned after sustaining blunt force trauma from the creature.

Bryan, who was nonverbal, disappeared on August 14 after climbing out of his bedroom window at 5 a.m. He was last seen on security footage outside wearing only a diaper. His body was located two weeks later in a lagoon within the Michoud neighborhood, evidence of severe injuries indicating an alligator attack.

The investigation revealed that emergency responders did not receive a call about Bryan’s disappearance until five hours later, prompting an internal review. Authorities acknowledged the delay was excessive and are currently examining the reasons behind it.

Additionally, authorities obtained a warrant to review the cell phones of Bryan’s parents as part of the investigation. Although the family’s attorney indicated they cooperated with law enforcement, the superintendent noted that the evidence gathered might not provide conclusive answers.

The search for Bryan was aided by the volunteer group, United Cajun Navy, which deployed drone teams to locate him. The search faced environmental challenges that complicated the efforts.

The incident has shifted from a missing person case to a death investigation. In response, local officials have requested that wildlife authorities remove nuisance alligators from the lagoon and bring in hunters to reduce the population and enhance safety measures.