LITHIA, Fla. — A 13-year-old last seen in Lithia Sunday night has been found dead.
Administrators of the "Let's Find Zayden" Facebook group confirmed the news to Spectrum Bay News 9.
Zayden Jay's parents, Christy and Zachary, said the teen left the family's home in the Fish Hawk community over the weekend and didn't tell them where he was going.
A nonprofit called We Are The Essentials which helps solve missing people cases was part of the search. They offered condolences in a social media post.
“We love you so much. We just want you home. We want you home safe,” Christy told Spectrum News on Tuesday evening.
The Jays said since Sunday, they’ve been living a scenario every parent fears.
“This is the worst thing I’ve ever experienced in my entire life,” said Zachary. “It’s literally a living nightmare, and I keep expecting to wake up from it.”
Anyone with information is asked to call the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office at (813) 247-8200.