Young Boy with Down Syndrome & Autism Tragically Found Dead
Photo from ABC7 News
On Monday July 11, 2022 a missing boy was found dead in a pond behind his home in Virginia. Landon “Waldy” Raber was six years old and had Down Syndrome, autism and was nonverbal.
He was first reported missing late Sunday night and was tragically found early the next morning "small pond on the property that he went missing from," the Buckingham County Department of Emergency Services said in a post on Facebook. The overnight search was one of the most extensive that Cody Davis, the Incident Commander and Chief of the Department of Emergency Services for Buckingham County, had ever seen, but he credited the community for their eagerness to help.
"While this was not the outcome anyone was wanting, or expecting, we'd like to thank everyone who was involved with searching all evening and all night," the department continued in the post." This includes, but [is] not limited to, VSP, all Buckingham Volunteer Fire Departments, BCDES, deputies from multiple other counties, and personnel from other volunteer fire departments."
According to The FarmVille Herald, “Waldy” was best known in their local community for the joy and community he brought through his ice cream truck, a business which the family liked to remind him that he started at the age of four. The mission of the truck was to raise awareness and understanding of autism and Down syndrome, while also bringing joy and his favorite ice cream flavors to their community.
The sudden passing away of Landon Raber has shocked the close-knit community of Buckingham County. Following the tragic news, the family's local community arranged a gathering to honor Raber on Monday afternoon. "This will be a place to pray for and support the family and also to remember the sweet life of Landon 'Waldy' Raber!" a statement on the event's Facebook page read. "His short life has touched so many people and we want to take this time to show our support and grieve together as a community/friends/family!"
Our sincerest condolences go out to the Raber family and the Buckingham County community for the tragic loss of Landon.