The search for Maddox Ritch has come to an end.

Authorities say they found a body in a shallow creek about a mile away from the North Carolina park where the young boy was reported missing last Saturday.

The remains are believed to be those of the 6-year-old, who had autism.

SOUNDBITE: GASTONIA POLICE CHIEF ROBERT HELTON, SAYING: "I am heart-broken ..... Our community is heart-broken." The FBI says it will continue its investigation to get to the bottom of how the boy died.

SOUNDBITE: FBI SPECIAL AGENT JASON KAPLAN, SAYING: "Effectively where did he enter, how did he get there, what was the manner of death?

Was there any crime that was committed or are we simply looking at an accident?" Earlier in the week, Maddox's father told reporters that the boy ran after a jogger at the park, then disappeared.

Dozens of searchers spent almost a week combing through thousands of acres.

Authorities are still asking the public for help.

They want to know as much about Maddox's movements and how he may have ended up where they found him.