KTRV Fox 12 Police say Robert Manwill was Murdered

Police say Robert Manwill was Murdered

Boise, Idaho -- Police have now determined that 8-year-old Robert Manwill was murdered.

They made the announcement Wednesday, Aug. 5, during a press conference.

Manwill went missing on Friday, July 24. His body was found Monday, Aug. 3, in the New York Canal in Kuna. Now with a positive identification, deputy chief Jim Kerns says things are changing very fast.

"This is now a criminal investigation," said Kerns.

The reason -- Kerns says there are clear signs the boy was murdered.

"Preliminary results for the autopsy give us reason to believe that 8-year-old Robert Manwill's death was not an accident," Kerns said.

It may not be too long before a suspect is in custody, considering police seem to have a good bead on either who did or did not kill Manwill.

"There remains no evidence that Robert was abducted by a stranger," said Kerns.

Clearly, it's a statement that indicates there are signs of some sort that the boy was murdered by someone he knew -- an acquaintance, a friend, or even a family member.

And according to Kerns, "Justice will not be denied for Robert Manwill."