Missing autistic boy found dead in B.C.

A boy who went missing from the front steps of his home in Grand Forks, B.C., on Saturday has been found dead, and RCMP believe he was a homicide victim.

The body of John Fulton, 12,was located by RCMP in Grand Forks at about 8 p.m. Monday, according toan RCMP news release.

"This is now a homicide investigation. The South East District Major Crime Unit has been called in to take over the investigation," the release said.

In a weekend appeal for information, the boy was described as autistic but was considered high-functioning.

His disappearance sparked an intense search:Police scoured the southeastern B.C. community of about 4,000 by helicopter, canvassed door to door, and called in a police dog team.

No further information or details will be released at this time, police said.

Grand Forks is about 525 kilometres east of Vancouver.