Autopsy report reveals Maddox Ritch died of 'probable drowning'

GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — Maddox Ritch, the 6-year-old boy found dead in a Gaston County creek in September, died from a probable drowning, according to autopsy results.

[CLICK HERE to read the complete autopsy report]

Ethanol and isopropanol were both found in his system, but this is believed to be the result of body decomposition.

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Weeks after the boy was found dead, investigators told the public they were still committed to finding out what happened to him.

The autopsy report said Maddox was found in Long Creek near Rankin Lake Park, and his body was covered by debris.

The medical examiner said because of exposure, the results cannot be conclusive, but the findings are consistent with drowning and there are no other indications that this is anything other than an accidental death.

Shortly after the results were released, Gastonia police released a statement that they conclude that Maddox’s death was by “accidental drowning” and no charges will be filed.

The case has tugged at the heartstrings of the Gastonia community and the nation.

Maddox was at Rankin Lake Park with his father and another person on Sept. 22 when the boy ran off, according to his father, Ian Ritch.

Past coverage:

Ritch said his son often ran ahead of him and then would slow down and wait for him to catch up. But on that Saturday, the boy, who had autism and was nonverbal, ran too far ahead and Ian Ritch lost sight of him.

The boy’s disappearance prompted a massive search involving crews from multiple agencies, and after a six-day search of Rankin Lake Park and surrounding areas, his body was found in Long Creek.

The Gastonia Police Department released the following statement on the medical examiner's report:

The Gastonia Police Department and the FBI have spent countless hours investigating the disappearance and death of 6-year-old Maddox Ritch. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) recently completed and published the results of the autopsy on Maddox's body. The report, completed by the Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner's Office states, “In conjunction with investigative information at this time, which gives no indication of other than an accidental drowning, it seems reasonable to conclude that the likely cause of death is drowning.” The Gastonia Police Department is grateful to the Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner's Office for its thorough and detailed work.

Several park visitors told Channel 9 they were anxiously waiting to find out what investigators determined happened to Maddox.

“We need to know about his autopsy so we can have closure. If there was no foul play involved, we need to know that,” said parkgoer Jack Griffin.

"We appreciate everyone's patience and support while we worked to uncover every piece of evidence available to bring our death investigation to this conclusion. I ask for continued prayers for Maddox's family and everyone touched by this child's tragic death," said Gastonia Police Chief Robert Helton. “We appreciate our many law enforcement, search and rescue partners, and countless others who assisted us in the search for Maddox. We do not anticipate any criminal charges being filed in connection with the investigation.”

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