The brother of a little boy found dead in a river has shared a heartbreaking message following the tragedy.
The body of Zepvontay 'Uni' Tafili, seven, was discovered by police near Slacks Creek in Logan, Queensland, on Sunday after a desperate 18-hour search.
Nathaniel Nikola, 15, last saw his brother on Saturday in their living room before leaving briefly and returning to find the front door open and Zepvontay – who was autistic and non-verbal – missing.
Nathaniel Nikola, 15, last saw his brother playing with their sister in the living room on Saturday before leaving briefly and returning to find Zepvontay missing
'I miss you very much, my brother. It's going to be hard without seeing you at home, it's hard for me too because every corner I turn, I just see my brother like nothing happened,” he said. the courier post.
'Every time I look at his pictures I burst into tears, he didn't deserve to go out like that.
'He was taken too early. It wasn't his time yet. It wasn't time for my little brother to go yet. He had so much to live for. I promised him that I would protect him all his life. The one time I wasn't there for him, he needed me the most.”
Family friend Brenda Lemaga has one GoFundMe on behalf of the boy's father, Jason Tafili, who doubled his $10,000 goal in less than a day.
The brother of Zepvontay 'Uni' Tafili, 7, (pictured) has broken his silence after his baby brother was found dead in a river near Logan in Queensland this weekend
The fundraising campaign now exceeds $24,000, which was donated by 600 people, some of whom left messages of support for the family.
“My heart aches for your family at this incredibly difficult time. All our love and support,” one woman wrote.
“Rest in everlasting love, King,” another man added.
Nathaniel said the outpouring of support is helping his family “keep their heads high (and) stay strong.”
Zepvontay was last seen on Queens Road (pictured), in Kingston, Logan, about 5pm on Saturday. Police considered him a significant risk due to his young age and mental state.