Terry Smith Jr., the 11-year-old boy whose body was found last month near his Menifee home after a massive search, was officially identified, coroner's officials confirmed on Thursday.
DNA confirmed Terry's identifty, said Sgt. Ruben Escobar, of the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner's Office.
TERRY SMITH CASE: Complete Coverage | Timeline | Map | Images
The news comes as friends and family are expected to hold a public memorial for Terry at the Menifee Market on Friday night, according to the Facebook page, Remembering Terry Smith.
Terry was reported missing July 7, prompting a massive search by authorities and hundreds of volunteers in Menifee, a suburb about 80 miles southeast of Los Angeles. Three days later, authorities discovered Terry’s partially exposed body behind his mother's home.
His 16-year-old half brother, Skylor Atilano, was charged with murder in connection with the death. Atilano is expected in court in September. Prosecutors want to try him as an adult.
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