A Michigan teenage missing since early this month was found dead on Friday after a 20-day search.

The body of Cortez McConer Jr, 16, was found Friday afternoon “in a secluded and heavily wooded area near Rockford,” the Grand Rapids Police Department said.

“This is not the outcome we had hoped for,” said Chief Eric Winstrom. “On behalf of GRPD, we send our heartfelt condolences to Cortez’s family and friends and the many in our community who will be grieving alongside them.”

Police said the Kent County Medical Examiner would be conducting an autopsy, and no further information was released.

Initial reports indicted that McConer had disappeared from his home, as CrimeOnline reported. But police later said he was last seen near a McDonald’s in Rockford on November 2 when he and two friends fled from police. Officers located the two friends shortly afterward, and they did not initially say that McConer had been with them.

Police did not say why the three were fleeing from police.

Grand Rapids Police were assisted by Kent County deputies and Michigan State Police in their searches for the boy, which also included organized volunteer seearches.

For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast.

[Featured image: Cortez McConer Jr/Grand Rapids Police Department]