LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — High hopes turned to heartbreak on Richiewayne Drive after the search for 4-year-old Aazam Dahir was canceled around 1 a.m. Sunday when he was found dead in a nearby pool. 

Louisville Metro Police said Dahir was non-verbal and autistic, and neighbors said he would wander often.

Police said nearly 100 people came out to help with the search in the Friendly Hills East neighborhood off Smyrna Parkway.

"They searched yards, called out his name and offered whatever help they could," a spokesperson for LMPD said. "Their willingness to come together in a moment of fear and uncertainty speaks volumes about the heart of this neighborhood. We are deeply grateful for their support, their urgency, and their humanity."

Neighbors, police, K-9 units, drones and air units all searched for the 3-foot-5-inch, 30-pound 4-year-old boy for hours hoping for the best outcome. 

"I'm hoping to find him hunkered down somewhere," neighbor Mark Domec said.

Domec is a father of four. He said he started helping with the search around 8:30 p.m. Saturday. He went inside around midnight, waking up to the news that Dahir was found dead Sunday morning. 

"Finding a deceased child that I didn't want to find," Domec said. "It hurt me."

LMPD issued a Golden Alert for Dahir just after 10 p.m. Saturday after he went missing from his home around 8 p.m.

A neighbor's doorbell camera video shows lights flashing and cars crowding the street at 10:33 p.m., with the scene still very active before midnight.

"It kind of restored my faith in humanity a little bit more, because I don't see that a lot," Domec said. "Most people would go back inside and turn their TV on instead of helping somebody."

Domec said the street was blocked, and people were just coming from all around, even strangers from other neighborhoods in the city.

Dahir was found in a nearby pool shortly before midnight and pronounced dead, forcing everyone to face the worst outcome.

"Always keep a close watch on your kids," Domec said. "Don't take your eyes off of them."

WDRB briefly spoke to the grieving family. Family members said Dahir's mother is devastated. 

"This is a heartbreaking loss," LMPD wrote in a statement. "There are no words that can ease the pain of losing a child, and tonight, our entire department grieves with this family. Their sorrow is unimaginable, and we hold them close in our thoughts."

LMPD’s Homicide Unit is conducting a death investigation, which is standard in any child’s death.

Copyright 2026 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.