The boy who went viral when he was photographed hugging a police officer at a protest is believed to have died in a car crash with his family in California, Buzzfeed reports, after their SUV plunged off a 100ft cliff.
Mendocino County Sheriff Tom Allman said at a news conference that that the vehicle belonging to Jennifer and Sarah Hart was discovered on Monday afternoon at the base of a cliff close to the Pacific Coast Highway.
The Harts were the parents of six adopted children, including Devonte Hart, whose face became a symbol of worldwide race relations after he was photographed hugging an officer at a rally in Portland.
"We have every indication to believe that all six children were in [the vehicle]," Allman said.
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Authorities have only recovered the bodies of the parents and three children - Martin, 19, Abigal, 14 and Jeremiah, 14. The bodies of three other children, including Devonte, remain missing.
Allman explained that 'there are a lot of unknowns' relating to the 'confusing scene'.
He added: "However, we do know several things. We know that an entire family vanished and perished during this tragedy."
According to the Washington Post, the SUV landed on its roof on top of a jagged rock, surrounded by crashing waves.
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The California Highway Patrol has said that three of the children weren't using safety equipment and were found outside of the vehicle, while the two women were wearing safety restraints.
"There were no skid marks. There were no break marks," Allman continued.
"There was no indication of why this vehicle traversed approximately over 75 feet off a dirt pullout and went into the Pacific Ocean."
Allman also explained that authorities have no evidence that the fall was intentional, and California Highway Patrol officials have said that they are now investigating why the vehicle may have driven over the cliff edge.
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A photo of Devonte went vital in 2014 when he attended a rally in support of the protests in Ferguson, Missouri, where a white police officer fatally shot Michael Brown, an 18-year-old African American.
Devonte had shown up with a sign that read 'free hugs'.
At the time, AP reported: "The officer asked for his name and shook his hand. He also asked Devonte where he went to school (he is home-schooled), what he did this summer (he traveled around the U.S. with his family), and what he likes to do (art).
"The tears stopped .... While continuing to talk to Devonte, he looked at the 'Free Hugs' sign on the ground and asked if he might get a hug as well."
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