OLYMPIA, Wash. -- The search for a missing 8-year-old boy with ties to Western New York has ended in heartbreak.

Police in Olympia, Washington have confirmed that the body of Azriel Carter has been found.

His body was located on Fox Island, nearly 12 miles from where he went missing. Azriel and his mother, 29-year old Shantina Smiley were last seen in Olympia on Saturday night.

Azriel’s father, Jay Carver, lives in Lancaster. He flew to Washington Tuesday night to aid in the search for his son. Carver says he spent the entire day Thursday searching the lake where Smiley’s van was found abandoned on Sunday.

Carver had been estranged from his son for awhile, but recently reconnected. We spoke with him by phone as he was on the way to see his son’s body.

"He was very funny, very caring, very cute kid," says Carver. "As I got to know him again and got to talk with him, he was just wonderful. And I was just really hoping to see him again."

Carver also expressed gratitude to all those in Western New York who have kept his family in their thoughts and prayers.

Shantina Smiley has still not be found. The events that led up to their disappearance are still under investigation.