Boy, 13, Found Dead Was Allegedly with Soccer Coach Before He Disappeared, Family Says

Authorities said that a body found in California’s Ventura County matched the description of a missing 13-year-old boy — and his relatives are alleging he was with his soccer coach before his disappearance.

In a statement shared with PEOPLE on Friday, April 4, the Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery-Homicide Division said the family of Oscar Omar Hernandez reported him missing on Sunday, March 30, when he didn’t return home after visiting an acquaintance in Lancaster.

The department’s Robbery-Homicide Division assumed the lead in the investigation on Tuesday, April 1, police said.

“During the course of their investigation, RHD detectives developed information that led them to an area of interest in the City of Oxnard,” the department continued. “In collaboration with our partners at the FBI, a coordinated foot search of that area took place. During the search, a body matching the description of the missing teen was discovered.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.  

The LAPD noted that the victim’s identity has not been officially confirmed, and the cause of death remains undetermined. Meanwhile, the Hernandez family said that investigators told them that the body found was the teen’s, according to ABC affiliate KABC.

They told KABC, CW affiliate KTLA and Fox affiliate KTTV that the boy was allegedly with his soccer at the time of the disappearance.

Oscar’s older brother Jose told KTTV that he tried to call Oscar on Saturday, March 29. However,  Jose said that the coach picked up the phone and told him Oscar was unavailable.

The boy’s father, Daniel, said that he spoke with the coach, who said that the teen was dropped off “near” the family’s home, according to KTTV. That prompted the family to contact the authorities.

A vigil was held on Thursday, April 3, at the site where Oscar’s body was found, KTLA reported. Family members who were in attendance alleged that he was with his coach prior to his disappearance.

“We had that person at our home,” his sister Alejandra told the outlet through a translator. “He even helped us look for Oscar.”

The LAPD’s statement obtained by PEOPLE made no mention of a person of interest or suspect in the case.

“LAPD RHD continues to actively pursue all leads to determine the cause of death and to identify any individuals who may be involved or possess information relevant to this investigation,” police added.

Gladys Bautista, Oscar’s mom, said her son was a soccer fan, adding that he was happy to get his visa so he can visit his relatives in Honduras, KABC reported.

“He didn’t need to be treated like an animal. That was my son,” she said in Spanish, according to the outlet.