Boy Missing from City-Run Summer Camp Found Dead on Carson Beach

Photo via Boston Police

The search for a seven-year-old boy who wandered off from a city-run summer ended when police found him dead on Carson Beach Tuesday evening.

The Boston Police Harbor Unit, joined by Quincy Police, found the body of Kyzr Willis, of Dorchester, in the waters behind the L Street bathhouse at the Curley Community Center, around 7:10 p.m., police say. The preliminary cause of death is believed to be drowning.

“My heart goes out to the family,” Boston Police Commissioner Bill Evans told reporters at the scene. “This is a tragedy.”

Willis was last seen near the bathhouse at 2:05 p.m., police say, and could not be found when his mother came to pick him up an hour later. The camp, open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, is run by the Boston Centers for Youth & Families.

“The entire BCYF community is absolutely heartbroken on the loss of Kyzr Willis and our deepest sympathies go out to this young boy’s family,” BCYF commissioner Will Morales said in a statement. “BCYF will work closely with the Boston Police Department throughout the investigation.”

The Curley Community Center will remain closed as police conduct their investigation. In a statement Tuesday night, Mayor Marty Walsh said his “heart is broken” for the Willis family.

“The City of Boston is devastated to learn of the tragic loss of Kyzr Willis, and I will be working closely with Boston Centers for Youth and Families and the Boston Police Department until we know exactly what happened,” Walsh said.