Foul play not ruled in out disappearance of Xavior Harrelson

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    MONTEZUMA, Iowa (KCCI) — The FBI has joined the search for an 11-year-old Iowa boy who disappeared last Thursday in the same area where a college student was murdered while jogging nearly three years ago.

Investigators were seen at the home of Xavior Harrelson in the mobile home park where he lived. The 11-year-old went missing last Thursday.

Mitch Mortvedt is the Assistant Director with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

“At the end of last week, there’s kind of a cold snap. And when it gets down into the 30s, of course, then you’re thinking hypothermia with the report that we have what he was last seen wearing a T-shirt, pajama bottoms and tennis shoes, that was a concern of ours. But as the days go on, it’s increasingly more suspicious and more concerning,” Mortvedt said.

Samantha Rix is a family friend and says she notified police.

“I won’t stop looking for that little boy. Just hoping that good news is brought and returned to us safe. He’s such a happy little boy,” Rix said.

More than 500 volunteers and responders gathered over the weekend to scour the area, as well as dogs, drones and dive teams.

Nearly three years ago, this same Iowa community rallied to search for 20-year-old Mollie Tibbetts, who was last seen out jogging. Her killer was found guilty of murder just last week.

“To be right back here, you know, working out of the sheriff’s office and in the same communities as we were three, almost three years ago when Molly disappeared, it’s frightening,” Mortvedt said.

Foul play has not been ruled out. Investigators say the family is cooperating but have not spoken to the media.

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