Mike McLenna/KTVB

Search crews worked through much of the night looking for a missing 10-year-old boy along the Canyon/Gem border

GEM COUNTY - The search for a missing 10-year-old in Gem County is over.

Deputy Chief Gary Duelen with the Canyon County Sheriff's Office confirms that 10-year-old Devon Nettleton was found dead this morning. He was last seen about 2:30 p.m. Wednesday during an ATV trip with his uncle.

Devon Nettleton, 10

Duelen tells NewsChannel 7 that the Middleton boy's mother and stepfather found him in a very remote area just inside Canyon County Thursday morning. The cause of his death is not known.

The Canyon County coroner's office says the cause of death may not be known until Friday, when an autopsy will be performed.

An investigation is underway to determine how Devon died. Idaho State Police spokesperson Rick Ohnsman said the investigation is just underway, and lots of questions are being asked.

"We don't know if it's a crime, or if he was lost and died out in the brush somewhere," Ohnsman said.

Aidan Brezonick-KTVB

Police have put yellow tape around this house near Middleton where Devon's grandmother lives as they continue to investigate his death.

Yellow crime scene tape surrounded Devon's grandmother's home for most of the day. Devon's uncle lives in the home. Ohnsman said that is part of the course of the investigation.

"It must be an area of interest, and they are containing it until they get what they need," he said.

Latest from the scene

Photos of the search effort

Family, volunteers and several agencies spent the night looking for him in some pretty rough terrain that's only accessible with all terrain vehicles and helicopters.

Deputies tell us Devon went four-wheeling with his uncle on Tuesday when the four wheeler became stuck.

Yesterday they both went back to get the four wheeler.

While there, Devon told his uncle he was going to walk up to the top of the ravine. That was the last time Devon was seen. The area searched is described as being roughly 30 square miles in size, and is filled with ravines and treacherous territory.

Search crews tell us that they had found Devon's backpack and his shirt near the four wheeler yesterday. His body was found 1.8 miles from those personal items.

Ohnsman said a number of people are being interviewed for their part in the case, including the boy's uncle.

Crews with Gem County, Canyon County, the Bureau of Land Management, Idaho State Police, Idaho National Guard and others aided in the search.

Stay with KTVB.COM for updates on this developing story.