**UPDATE** 8:50 p.m. - WITH VIDEO

Despite the efforts of hundreds of volunteers, and trained search and rescue people, the search for 2 year old Chase Martens ended in tragedy.

He'd been missing since 6 o'clock Tuesday evening from his home north of Austin, and was found around 1 o'clock this afternoon, in a body of water.

RCMP Sergeant Bert Paquet outlines he was found.

"Chase was found by a group of Winnipeg search and rescue volunteers, found in what we call a high probability area. This area had been searched before, was constantly being re-visited as conditions of the creek, as well as some of the water levels, changed from day to day. Again, shortly after 1 o'clock this afternoon, the body of Chase was found. There were no obvious signs of foul play. This appears to be exactly what we all thought it was -- a tragedy."

Paquet points out even though Chase has been found, the investigation's not completed, but stresses there are no obvious signs of foul play.

"We owe it to the family, the community, and the province to exercise due diligence, and investigate the next steps. The next hours, and the next several days, will have a dedicated team of investigators focused on providing answers to a lot of questions that we still have. But again, at this point, we're not looking at foul play, and this appears to be just a tragedy."

Paquet notes RCMP investigators have met with the family.

"They have a lot of friends and family members, obviously, near them. They are receiving the support that they need. But again, it's a sad answer, but an answer nonetheless -- some closure. Our investigators have spoken with them throughout the week. I believe will probably continue to do so, but the next steps will dictate what direction the investigation will go. At this point, again, we don't expect this to have a foul play element to it."

He says an autopsy will be performed, possibly tomorrow.

Here's video of the RCMP statement. 

Video Credit: Travis Roberts

Transcript of Statement by RCMP Sgt. Bert Paquet:

“Earlier today a family, a community and a province’s worst nightmare became a reality. Shortly after 1:00 this afternoon the body of Chase Martens was found in a creek in a body of water. Chase was found by a group of Winnipeg search and rescue volunteers – found in what they call a high probability area. This area had been searched before but was constantly being revisited as conditions of the creek as well as some of the water levels changed from day to day. Again, shortly after 1:00 this afternoon the body of Chase was found. There were no obvious signs of foul play. This appears to be exactly what we all thought it was – a tragedy."

“Our investigation now will focus on working with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for an autopsy. I‘d like to thank a lot of people, as we have done so throughout the week. Obviously, the office of the fire commissioner—their expertise, their resources were key in the search efforts that went for the last five days. I would like to thank citizens across Canada whose message on social media never stopped, were always positive and hopeful, and certainly a great motivator for searchers and officers involved in this case."

“I would estimate that about 30,000 volunteer hours were donated this week – the majority of them by people who were total strangers to the Martens family.  The true genuine care and concern of Manitobans is something that should be recognized and commended. I know a family – a community – thank you for the size of your collective heart.”