NY Boy, 2, And Dad Who Kidnapped Him Found Dead In Virginia

ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY, VA — A 2-year-old boy and the father who kidnapped, both last seen in a car entering New Jersey, have been found dead in western Virginia, police said.

A vehicle bearing New York license plate GAV4699 was found Wednesday morning in Rockbridge County, Virginia, with two dead occupants: 2-year-old Jovani Ligurgo and his father, John Ligurgo III, 43, according to the Suffolk County, N.Y. police

A press conference on the matter was scheduled for 1:45 p.m. in Long Island, New York.

According to Suffolk Police in Long Island, Jovani Ligurgo’s mother dropped him off at his father’s residence on Bretton Woods Drive in Coram at about 7 a.m. Tuesday.

When Jovani, who lives with his mother in Smithtown, was not returned to his mother’s custody at the predetermined time, 3:30 to 4 p.m., the mother called police.

Officers responded to a call of a house fire around 3:35 p.m. at 265 Bretton Woods Drive, where the boy’s father lives. The home was unoccupied when first responders arrived on the scene.

Detectives believed the child was in the company of his father who fled the state in his black Jeep Grand Cherokee, New York license plate GAV4699. Ligurgo III was believed to be in possession of a hunting rifle.

The father's license plate was captured by a toll booth camera on the George Washington Bridge heading into New Jersey, according to News12.

The investigation is continuing. Detectives are asking anyone with information to call 911 or contact the Sixth Squad at 631-854-8652 or call New Jersey State Police at 609-882-2000.

With photo and reporting by Ryan Bonner and Tom Davis