NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans Police confirmed Wednesday that 12-year-old Bryan Vasquez died from blunt force injuries caused by an alligator and subsequently drowned, following a 12-day search that ended in tragedy.

At a news conference outside NOPD headquarters, Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said the Orleans Parish Coroner determined the cause of death after completing an autopsy of the body found Tuesday in a lagoon near Bryan’s home in the Michoud area of New Orleans East.

“We know that these are difficult outcomes and we still have quite a grieving community and a grieving family,” Kirkpatrick said. “This investigation does continue.”

‘Nuisance’ alligators to be removed

Kirkpatrick said she has formally requested the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to begin eradicating what s

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