Police: Missing 15-year-old Prince William County boy found dead

A missing person case is now a death investigation. Prince William County police say a 15-year-old boy from Bristow was found dead Monday afternoon two days after he was reported missing.

Police say Christopher James Owens was last seen Saturday night leaving his home in the 10100 block of Banchory Place.

The teenager was a freshman student at Brentsville District High School in Nokesville.

On social media, the school asked the community to keep Owens' family in their prayers.

"It's everybody's worse nightmare," said neighbor Michelle Bleier. "It's not something you want to think about. It just makes you hug your own kids tighter that day, every day."

Bleier said she recalls the family searching the neighborhood for Owens on Saturday night.

Shortly thereafter, a Facebook page was started to spread the word about Owens' disappearance.

Police say Owens left his home voluntarily and was likely in need of assistance, which qualified him as being endangered.

Police also say Owens was riding an ATV, which was missing from the residence.

Police say the Medical Examiner's Office determined the cause of death to be a gunshot injury. The manner of death was ruled a suicide.