JASPER | RICKEY STOKES NEWS
An autopsy conducted Monday morning found no signs of trauma or assault-related injuries on a 4-year-old child whose body was discovered in Walker County following a days-long search.
Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith said the official cause of death for Johnathan Boley is still pending, as additional test results have not yet been finalized. Authorities confirmed the child was found Friday afternoon approximately two miles from his father’s residence in the Thach community. Smith said Johnathan was discovered partially submerged in a body of water.
Johnathan was reported missing on New Year’s Eve, prompting an extensive search effort that spanned three days. Hundreds of volunteers, along with law enforcement agencies from across the region, participated in the search. The Walker County Emergency Management Agency organized searchers into mapped grid patterns to cover large areas each day.
According to Sheriff Smith, a group of volunteers—not law enforcement—located the child’s body.
“They were shaken up,” Smith said. “You come out wanting to help and think you’re prepared for what you might find, but when it actually happens, it’s incredibly difficult.”
Meanwhile, Johnathan’s father, Jameson Boley, is facing multiple charges following a search of his home while the child was missing. Sheriff Smith confirmed that methamphetamine was found inside the residence.
Smith said Jameson Boley is currently being held in the Blount County Jail, explaining the decision was made to keep him separated from individuals he may know locally.
After Johnathan’s body was discovered, family members were allowed to personally inform Jameson of his son’s death.
“I coordinated with the Blount County Sheriff to allow the family to make that notification in person,” Smith said.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities await final autopsy results.
