Found Deceased IA - Xavior Harrelson, 10, neighbor reported X missing, Montezuma, 27 May 2021 #2

[Shamrock1]

I always thought Xavior and Gannon Stauch would have gotten along .

Wouldn’t a trafficker have picked a better spot? I’m guessing this was not a trafficker.

 

[JurassicParker]

Forgive me if this has been answered a lot but, did they find his bike?

 

[PumpkinDoodles]

Body found in Montezuma: Investigation continues after remains found

The mayor's statement does not sound good.

"Fear that it's Xavior. Fear that it's foul play," Bolen said.

 

[Seattle1]

Forgive me if this has been answered a lot but, did they find his bike?

Yes -- both of his bikes were at his home when he vanished. Bikes were never missing.

 

[Seattle1]

Body found in Montezuma: Investigation continues after remains found

Oct 1, 2021

A farmer tending to his soybean crops discovered the remains Thursday in a field near 110th Street and Ewart Road in rural Poweshiek County. Authorities have not yet made a positive identification and said confirming the identity could take eight weeks or more.

More:Months after Xavior Harrelson's disappearance, a body was found near Montezuma. Here’s what we know.

However, the family of 11-year-old Xavior Harrelson, who has been missing since May 27, was notified of the discovery, said Mitch Mortvedt, the assistant director of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

There's a feeling of shock, sadness and fear in the town of about 1,500, its mayor said Friday morning. The body was found about 4 miles from Xavior's home — off a "Level B" country road now blocked off by authorities, surrounded by farm fields and massive wind turbines.

"Fear that it's Xavior. Fear that it's foul play," Bolen said.

"We want our kids to be safe. This should never happen to anyone."

More:Adolescent's body found near Montezuma; clothing consistent with what Xavior Harrelson was wearing when last seen

The town was quieter than usual on Friday, Bolen said. Many locals were seen wearing Montezuma shirts, hugging each other and holding each other tightly.

"We pull together when something happens," said Michele Armstrong, a local farmer and secretary at the Montezuma United Methodist Church downtown.

Armstrong is a mother of two daughters.

"I can't imagine what Xavior's parents are going through — the not knowing," Armstrong said. "It gives me goosebumps. It's going to make me cry again."

Investigators have not named any suspects or persons of interest in Xavior's disappearance, and maintain they've found no evidence of foul play in his case, but they also haven't ruled anything out.

"We still don't know much," Mortvedt said. "We can make assumptions, but that's always dangerous."

 

[oviedo]

I hope they are able to identify this poor young boy…. Soon

 

[Seattle1]

I always thought Xavior and Gannon Stauch would have gotten along .

Wouldn’t a trafficker have picked a better spot? I’m guessing this was not a trafficker.

Nope. I don't think so.

Mollie T's killer worked at a farm very close to the location where he dumped her body.

Xavior was found in a field planted with soybeans. Probably an area not well-traveled.

We really don't have an independent sighting of XH to know when he was last physically seen.

His mom states that she "heard" her son open the front door and presumes he left the trailer they shared on May 27. (The door has bells and she heard the bells chime but did not see Xavior leave).

Since he did not take his bike, it does not seem he was carrying on with his normal, routine.

4 miles is near enough for XH to walk but also not normal for him to walk outside of the courtyard.

MOO

 

[Stina]

This is the presser posted by the news channel.on youtube

Is anyone else bothered that he said that X was missing since March? I'm sure it's just a simple mistake, and irrelevant, but those little inaccuracies really get to me.

 

[iamnotagolem]

Is anyone else bothered that he said that X was missing since March? I'm sure it's just a simple mistake, and irrelevant, but those little inaccuracies really get to me.

I’m probably not the one to ask, but in missing persons cases I get upset at every little error. Wrong dates, misspelled names, etc just hurt so bad, like how hard is it to get the facts right. My heart just hurts for this little boy and he deserved so much better.

 

[Seattle1]

Is anyone else bothered that he said that X was missing since March? I'm sure it's just a simple mistake, and irrelevant, but those little inaccuracies really get to me.

I hope you can forgive this guy! Mitch Mortvedt, Asst Director of the DCI, was clearly aware of the 4-month timeline so I think it was an honest mistake when he said March and not May. I also think this county has had a rough year and hope you can overlook the little inaccuracy. He called a mother and father on Thursday and told them they found a child wearing clothes similar to clothes their child was last described wearing, and then went on camera and told his community the same. He's human. I wouldn't want his job.

 

[airportwoman]

Many were alarmed at the custodial parent not speaking publicly, but there are still many family members-- including mom, and friends that are grieving this moment. Sending them warmth, comfort, and support for more difficult days ahead.

ETA - add news

This case has weighed heavy on the officers as well, a majority of which have children themselves, Mortvedt said. But not as heavy as it's been for Xavior's family, he added.

The wait for her son's safe return has been excruciating, Xavior's mother, Sarah Harrelson, previously told the Register.

"The word 'why' will drive you crazy. Why him?" Sarah Harrelson, 41, said.

Xavior's father, Travis Harrelson, is holding on to the fact that the child's human remains have not been identified yet, Bolen said, referring to a conversation she had with him Thursday night.

"He's not ready to give up on that," Bolen said.

Body found in Montezuma: Investigation continues after remains found

This is the first time I've seen his father mentioned at all. I assumed he was either dead, or out of the picture completely.

 

[elliefant]

He was said on here to have been actively seeking answers and pleading for X’s return - mainly via FB iirc. I don’t recall much mention of him in MSM though.

 

[Unalienable Rights]

This is the first time I've seen his father mentioned at all. I assumed he was either dead, or out of the picture completely.

I (mostly) lurked on WS for several years, then took a break for a couple of years. It was Xavior who brought me back here. When he had been missing for two or three days I saw a segment about him on Fox News. The national anchor (I think it was Sandra Smith) talked to a reporter from a Fox affiliate station in Iowa about him. The local reporter said that Xavior's father had contacted the station and asked them to broadcast his son's picture. The reporter said that he had talked to Xavior's father, who was understandably frantic with worry and said that his son would never run away. I decided to log-on to WS to see if there was a thread for Xavior, and of course there was. From that first mention of Xavior on national TV, I thought that his father was going to be up front and center in the search, but other than seeing the father's picture at one of the fundraising events, I don't remember hearing anything more about him. Well, maybe there were a couple of mentions of him, but I don't believe he ever spoke publicly.

 

[ChatteringBirds]

Dear child, I'm sorry this happened to you and hope you will have justice and you are at peace.

My heart goes out to Xavior's father. I also remember posts here saying he was online frantically seeking help finding Xavior.

My heart goes out to all who loved Xavior and are completely innocent in his disappearance.

 

[PommyMommy]

OCT 1, 2021
Sadness fills Iowa town after body found: 'Fear that it's Xavior' Harrelson (desmoinesregister.com)
[...]

Bolen said there is deep concern in the community. Many people are struggling to maintain the hope they have held tightly for four months: that Xavior will be found safe.

But Montezuma residents remain strong, Bolen said.

"It's going to be tough, but we'll get through this," Bolen said. "We are a strong, very supportive community — especially when it comes to our kids."

On Friday morning, as investigators continued the process of securing evidence at the scene, Mortvedt told The Des Moines Register that it's rare for a child to go missing in rural Iowa, and even rarer for remains of a child to show up like this.

"It's obviously suspicious. ... What would the remains of a child be doing in rural Iowa?" he said. "Everyone's on edge, anxious to get answers."

[...]

 

[Pavelsky]

Early on I joined Xavior’s Warriors on FB as I was drawn to this boy who reminds me so much of my grandson of the same age. I had received posters to spread awareness of Xavior, to put his face and information out there. The poster sits on the back window of my van for all to see. I have looked at it daily since the news broke and am not ready, cannot bring myself to remove that poster! I am so sad that Xavior may not be the miracle that I was hoping for in that he would be found alive! May he Rest In Peace! May his family, classmates, teachers and those in the community who have kept him in their hearts and his image front and center find comfort! Sending orange hearts!

 

[AbbeyBabbey]

Oh, my.
So sorry X!!!
Another one of our babies gone, treated like trash. Such a sweet looking kid who sacrificed to help his mom.
Justice!

 

[Snoopster]

Early on I joined Xavior’s Warriors on FB as I was drawn to this boy who reminds me so much of my grandson of the same age. I had received posters to spread awareness of Xavior, to put his face and information out there. The poster sits on the back window of my van for all to see. I have looked at it daily since the news broke and am not ready, cannot bring myself to remove that poster! I am so sad that Xavior may not be the miracle that I was hoping for in that he would be found alive! May he Rest In Peace! May his family, classmates, teachers and those in the community who have kept him in their hearts and his image front and center find comfort! Sending orange hearts!

Thank you for being a Xavior Warrior, Pavelsky. I'm so sorry that it seems that poor Xavier has been found deceased.

This boy deserved a much better life. Thank goodness he had so many people who cared about him and wanted to bring him home safely.

 

[Pavelsky]

Thank you for being a Xavior Warrior, Pavelsky. I'm so sorry that it seems that poor Xavier has been found deceased.

This boy deserved a much better life. Thank goodness he had so many people who cared about him and wanted to bring him home safely.

Oh my, your beautiful words of kindness and acknowledgement of all that has been lost immediately brought me to the tears I did not want to shed! Thank you for the kind words! Your words were incredibly insightful into the distress that Xavior’s Warriors feel right now! Thank you Snoopster!

 

[JerseyGirl]

Remains in Poweshiek Co. were in remote area not covered in ground search