Johnathan Everett Boley Bio – 2026 Tragedy & Final Hours, Loyal Dog
On New-Year’s Eve 2025 the small town of Jasper, Alabama, became the focus of a heart-breaking search when 4-year-old Johnathan Everett Boley vanished while visiting his father. After 48 hours of intensive searching across 500 acres, volunteers located the child’s body just two miles from the rural home—his loyal black Labrador “Buck” still nearby. The case has reignited discussions on custodial-visit safety and missing-child response protocols.
Quick-Facts Table
| Full Name | Johnathan Everett Boley |
| Age | 4 years (born 2021) |
| Birth Place | Florida, USA |
| Last Seen | 31 Dec 2025, 11:30 a.m. |
| Location Found | ~2 mi from father’s home, Walker Co., AL |
| Physical Description | 4 ft, 50 lb, blond hair, blue eyes |
| Clothing | Yellow Mickey-Mouse shirt, black pants, Paw Patrol shoes |
| Dog | Black Labrador “Buck” (found alive) |
| Parents | Mother – Florida resident; Father – Jameson Kyle Boley, AL |
| Visitation | Court-ordered 5 days per year |
| Status (Jan 3, 2026) | Confirmed deceased by Sheriff Nick Smith |
Timeline of Disappearance & Discovery
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Dec 30 2025 | Mother arrives from Florida to pick up child next day. |
| Dec 31 11:30 a.m. | Johnathan & 6-yr-old brother follow dog Buck outside father’s house on Hwy 195. |
| Dec 31 afternoon | Father reports boy missing; ALEA issues “missing/endangered” alert. |
| Jan 1 2026 | Civilian search halted after “possible explosive devices” found near property (FBI later cleared scene). Father arrested on unrelated charges. |
| Jan 2 2026 | Sheriff holds press conference: body discovered ≈2 mi away; dog alive beside him. |
| Jan 3 2026 | Positive ID released; autopsy pending. |
Search Effort
- Personnel: 161 volunteers, 126 first-responders, helicopter, drones, K-9 units.
- Terrain: Dense woods, old mining property, temperatures near freezing at night.
- Key Break: Buck the Labrador stayed with the child, helping searchers narrow the grid.
Family & Personal Life
Johnathan lived primarily with his mother in Florida and was on a court-monitored five-day annual visit to his father, Jameson Kyle Boley, an Alabama military veteran. The mother had flown in the night before the disappearance to collect her son when the tragedy occurred. Authorities state both parents are cooperating; no charges related to the death have been filed as of Jan 3, 2026.
Physical Statistics
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Height | 4 ft (122 cm) |
| Weight | 50 lb (23 kg) |
| Hair | Blond |
| Eyes | Blue |
| Clothing | Yellow Mickey-Mouse tee, black pants, Paw Patrol shoes |
Quotes
“Finding this dog could help us in finding the missing child.”
— Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith, Jan 1 appeal“I’m here to announce that we have located Johnathan, and Johnathan is deceased.”
— Sheriff Nick Smith, Jan 2 press conference
Controversies / Ongoing Investigation
- Father’s property searched; “suspicious devices” initially reported, later deemed inert by FBI.
- Custodial-visit safety questions raised by relatives; case remains open pending autopsy and toxicology results.
How to Help
Walker County Sheriff’s Office tip-line: (205) 384-7218 or 911 if you were in the Hwy 195 area on Dec 31 and witnessed anything relevant.
FAQs
Q1: When exactly was Johnathan last seen?
A: 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, 31 Dec 2025, outside his father’s home on the 7000 block of Highway 195.
Q2: Was the dog hurt?
A: No—Buck was found alive and unharmed beside the child.
Q3: Have any arrests been made for the death?
A: As of Jan 3, 2026, no charges related to the death; father was arrested earlier on unrelated matters.
Q4: Could weather have been a factor?
A: Night-time temperatures dipped near freezing; hypothermia has not been ruled out pending autopsy.
Q5: How large was the search area?
A: More than 500 acres of woods and former mining land.
Conclusion
The 2025-26 New-Year tragedy of Johnathan Everett Boley underscores how quickly a joyful holiday visit can turn catastrophic. While investigators piece together the final hours, a community—and a mother—are left grieving a life that ended far too soon. Our thoughts are with all who loved him; may the findings bring clarity and, eventually, a measure of peace.
If this report helps raise awareness about child-safety during custody visits, please share.
WBMA initial missing alert, 1 Jan 2026
ABC News recovery report, 3 Jan 2026
People magazine summary, 3 Jan 2026
