Montrell Williams Death – A heartbreaking discovery was made Wednesday afternoon as police recovered the body of a small child from the East River, believed to be that of 2-year-old Montrell Williams, who had been missing since early May. The child’s body was found near Ferry Point Park in the Bronx, close to the Whitestone Bridge, around 12:18 p.m., according to police sources.
While formal identification is still pending, investigators say the child matches Montrell’s description and was wearing a Calvin Klein T-shirt—the same clothing he was last seen in. Family members were informed by police of the grim details.
Montrell’s disappearance has shaken the Bronx and sparked growing outrage and heartbreak, especially as the case appears to have taken a tragic turn. Authorities have named the child’s father, Arius Williams, 20, as a central figure in the investigation. Police say Williams told Montrell’s mother during a disturbing confrontation that he had thrown the toddler into the Bronx River. The child’s body was found roughly two miles from where the Bronx River empties into the East River.
Williams, who was arrested and ordered held at Rikers Island on contempt charges for refusing to reveal the child’s whereabouts, has not cooperated with authorities. He failed to appear in court on Tuesday, refusing to get on the transport bus, and although he returned to court Wednesday, it remains unclear whether he provided any new information.
The family of Montrell, including his mother and grandmother, had repeatedly raised concerns about the child’s safety during his court-approved visitation with Williams. According to the child’s great-aunt, Alicia Williams, the family had gone to police as early as Mother’s Day, expressing fears that Montrell was in danger. Despite their pleas, they were reportedly told nothing could be done at the time.
“We went there on Mother’s Day. That same day,” Alicia said. “I don’t like the fact they didn’t want to help us.”
After receiving no assistance, the family launched their own public search effort—sharing Montrell’s photos across social media and putting up posters throughout the city in hopes of finding him.
The situation escalated dramatically on Sunday when Williams allegedly threatened Montrell’s 17-year-old mother with a knife, claiming to have thrown their son into the river. He later showed up at a relative’s apartment alone, where family members say he attempted to flee after giving only a chilling response: “He gone, he gone.”
The NYPD issued an alert for Montrell on Monday, nearly three weeks after the family began raising alarms. An arrest warrant for Williams had been signed by a Family Court judge on May 30 after he failed to return Montrell at the end of his visitation period.
Deputy Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated Wednesday that the NYPD is actively reviewing the case and how the initial reports from the family were handled.
“The NYPD takes any case involving a missing person very seriously and we are looking into how the initial report from the family was handled,” Tisch said.
Sources also confirmed that Arius Williams had a history of domestic violence, including a prior arrest for assaulting Montrell’s mother when she was just 15 years old. Details of that case remain unclear.
As the investigation continues and the medical examiner works to confirm the identity of the body, the community is left mourning a young life taken far too soon. Montrell Williams’ family continues to seek justice, support, and answers in the face of an unimaginable loss.
