West Virginia boy Wyatt Eaves-Nibert, 10, is found dead after going missing on a squirrel hunting trip with his grandfather
10-year-old West Virginia boy Wyatt Eaves-Nibert is found dead after going missing with his grandfather while on a squirrel hunt
- Wyatt Eaves-Nibert went on a trip carrying a .22 rifle to hunt
- His body was found the next day with a single gunshot wound
- Officials have not indicated whether they suspect foul play in Wyatt’s death
A 10-year-old West Virginian was found dead with a single gunshot wound after going missing with his grandfather while on a squirrel hunt.
Wyatt Eaves-Nibert went on a trip with his grandfather on September 9 in the Salt Creek area of Mason County, near Gallipolis Ferry. He had a .22 rifle with him and his body was found around 7 a.m. the next day.
His body was taken to the State Secretariat for further investigation. Officials have not indicated whether they suspect foul play in Wyatt’s death.
Adrienne Nibert, Wyatt’s mother said WCHS TV that he and his grandfather were having lunch when Wyatt said he was going for a walk to look for squirrels. When Wyatt’s grandfather shouted for him after cleaning up, he couldn’t find him.
Wyatt Eaves-Nibert went squirrel hunting with his grandfather on September 9 and had a .22 rifle with him. His body was found the next day around 7am
Adrienne Nibert, Wyatt’s mother, said he and his grandfather were having lunch when Wyatt said he was going for a walk to look for squirrels
Mason County Sheriff Corey Miller said crews from the Mason County Sheriff’s Office, Point Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department and Mason County EMS were called to the scene of the crash around 3 p.m., where they learned that Wyatt was missing.
Authorities initially responded to an ATV accident involving the grandfather that occurred an hour after the youth went missing.
WCHSV.com reported that his grandfather went looking for Wyatt on a four-wheeler when he crashed and was injured, alerting responding crews to the missing boy.
Mason County Sheriff Corey Miller said crews from the Mason County Sheriff’s Office, Point Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department and Mason County EMS were called around 3 p.m at the scene of the crash. Then they heard that Wyatt was missing.
Several volunteers began their search for Wyatt after he went missing and continued searching for him early the next day before his body was found
Several volunteers began their search for Wyatt after he went missing and continued searching for him early the next day before his body was found.
According to Wyatt’s mother, he had extensive training in gun safety, knew how to handle them properly and was well versed in protocol.
Adrienne said, “Wyatt was very well trained in gun safety. He knew he shouldn’t walk around without the safety off and he knew he should carry the gun on his back, pointing it in the air. He had very good trigger discipline.”
She took to Facebook to post a tribute to her late son. The message read: ‘Today is the day I never dreamed would happen. The day I make funeral arrangements. I take my baby back to his house to rest.
“This has rocked me harder than I think life could ever rock me. Wyatt Ray was too sweet, loving and perfect to be in this cruel world.”
According to Adrienne, her son had extensive training in gun safety, knew how to handle them properly and was well versed in protocol
His funeral will take place on September 18, according to his obituary. Wyatt is described as a 5th grade student at Roosevelt Elementary School who enjoyed hunting, fishing, wrestling, heavy metal music, and anything military related on the page.
He is survived by his parents, two siblings, two grandparents, three great-grandparents and a great-great-grandmother.