It was not the news anyone was hoping to hear.
Family and friends learned DNA testing disproved a man's claim that he was Timmothy Pitzen, an Illinois boy who was last seen in the Wisconsin Dells area in 2011.
"Unfortunately this child is not our beloved Timmothy," said Kara Jacobs, Timmothy's aunt. "We know that you’re out there somewhere Tim and we will never stop looking for you."
His aunt and grandmother talked with reporters briefly after the news broke. At one point his grandmother, Alana Anderson, said the last 24 hours were exhausting.
"It’s kind of back to ground zero for us," said Anderson. "We’re kind of reliving everything that did happen and renewing the loss one more time."
Timmothy's childhood friend, Yamii Villa, shared in the disappointment.
"At first I don’t want to bring my hopes too up but I had a really good feeling about this this time," said Villa. "This happened before throughout the years but it never got to this point."
Her family still lives in the same house, a few doors down from Timmothy's old home in Aurora.
Nearly eight years since Timmothy was last seen, hope remains.
His playground and the concrete slab with his name and hand print are still at his old house. The new owners kept them to show him some day.
Villa's family considered Timmothy as part of her family. They keep a picture of him and his bike close by.
"I’m going to still keep praying for him," said Villa. "I’m still going to keep his bike. I’m not gonna lose hope in finding him."
Timmothy's family said they are not rushing to judge the man who claimed to be Timmothy. Instead, they asked people to pray for him.
