GRAND FORKS, B.C - A 12-year-old boy who disappeared from his Grand Forks, B.C., home has been found dead and police say the case is being investigated as a homicide.

John Fulton, a high-functioning autistic child, disappeared from his front steps Saturday afternoon, sparking an intense search.

Police scoured the southeastern B.C. community by helicopter, canvassed door to door, and called in a police dog team.

Fulton's body was discovered Monday evening.

RCMP are not yet providing further details, saying the investigation is still in its infancy.

Grand Forks is about 600 kilometres east of Vancouver and is home to about 4,000 residents.