West Virginia boy Wyatt Eaves-Nibert, 10, found dead after going missing during squirrel hunting trip with grandfather
- Wyatt Eaves-Nibert traveled with a .22 rifle to hunt.
- His body was found the next day with a single gunshot wound.
- Officials have not said whether they suspect foul play in Wyatt’s death.
A 10-year-old West Virginia child was found dead from a single gunshot wound after going missing during a squirrel hunting trip with his grandfather.
Wyatt Eaves-Nibert made the trip with his grandfather on September 9 to the Salt Creek area of Mason County near Gallipolis Ferry. He was carrying a .22 rifle with him and his body was found around 7 a.m. the next day.
His body was transported to the state medical examiner’s office for further investigation. Officials have not said 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 looking for squirrels. When Wyatt’s grandfather called him after cleaning, he couldn’t find him.
Wyatt Eaves-Nibert went squirrel hunting with his grandfather on September 9 and carried a .22 rifle. His body was found around 7 a.m. the next day
Adrienne Nibert, Wyatt’s mother said he and his grandfather were having lunch when Wyatt said he was going for a walk looking 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 around 3 p.m. the accident where they learned Wyatt was missing.
Authorities first responded to an ATV accident involving the grandfather, which occurred an hour after the youngster’s disappearance.
WCHSV.com reported that his grandfather had gone to pick Wyatt up on a four-wheeler when he crashed and was injured, at which point emergency crews were alerted to the boy’s disappearance.
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 15h at the scene of the accident. That’s when they learned that Wyatt was missing.
Several volunteers began searching for Wyatt after he went missing and resumed his search early the next day before his body was found.
Several volunteers began searching for Wyatt after he went missing and resumed his search early the next day before his body was found.
According to Wyatt’s mother, he had extensive gun safety training, knew how to handle one properly and was familiar with protocol.
Adrienne said: “Wyatt was very trained in gun safety. He knew not to walk around without the safety and he knew he had to carry the gun on his back, pointed 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 plan the funeral. I’m taking my baby home to rest.
“It shook me harder than I think life could ever rock me. Wyatt Ray was too gentle, loving and too perfect to live in this cruel world.
According to Adrienne, her son received extensive gun safety training, knew how to handle one properly and was familiar with protocol.
His funeral will take place on September 18, according to his obituary. Wyatt is described as a 5th grader at Roosevelt Elementary School who loved hunting, fishing, wrestling, heavy metal music and anything military related on the page.
He is survived by his parents, two brothers and sisters, two grandparents, three great-grandparents and a great-great-grandmother.
