Search For Missing West Hartford Teen Ends, Human Remains Found

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Police said the search for missing teen, Jonathon Benjamin Adams, 14 "has come to a close" as they found human remains in a "shallow grave" in West Virginia, confirmed the Hampshire County Sheriff's Office.

The teen had been missing for the past week. At 11:20 a.m. Saturday investigators found a shallow grave containing a set of human remains, believed to be that of Adams, pending an autopsy at the WV Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, in Charleston, WV, police said.

The remains were located in a heavily wooded area, near the location the victim was reported missing last Sunday morning, police said. The area of the recovery was extremely difficult to access due to heavy underbrush, police added.

A 16-year-old relative has been arrested and charged with burglary. Investigators have developed a suspect in the death of Adams, police said.

"The investigation still continues into the events surround(ing) the child’s death. More information will be released as it becomes available. Our thoughts and prayers are with Johnny’s loved ones during this difficult time," the Hampshire County Sheriff's Office said in a news release. "The sheriff’s office would like to thank the community for their tips and support during this investigation. Anyone with information can contact our office at 304-822-3894."

Earlier this week it was announced that the teen's family was offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads them to his whereabouts. Jonathan Adams was last seen while visiting relatives last Saturday night in Augusta.

Adams, who is known as "Johnny" locally, was reported missing at 9:30 a.m. Sunday in the Golden Acres area of Augusta, authorities said. He had been visiting since March, according to the sheriff's office.

Adams graduated this year from King Philip Middle School in West Hartford. He has participated in the West Hartford youth baseball and basketball programs.

A GoFundMe account has been set up to help raise finds for the search efforts. More than $8,000 has been raised.

In an update Saturday evening, the GoFundMe states, "On behalf of my family, I sincerely thank all of those who donated. Unfortunately, I have bad news to share. Johnny was confirmed dead. There is an active FBI investigation. We ask for your discretion and emotional support in these difficult times. The funds will be donated to National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and The Polly Klaas Foundation."

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