Timmothy Pitzen DNA Results: Man Claiming To Be Missing Teen Actually A Felon

In this photo, a member (L) of the Argentine Team of Forensic Anthropology (EAAF) takes a blood sample for DNA testing from a man with a missing relative, who disappeared during his journey through Mexico to reach the U.S. REUTERS/Jorge Cabrera

The mystery over the disappearance almost eight years ago of Timmothy Pitzen remains as the person who claimed to be this missing boy turned out to be a 23 year-old man with a long criminal history.

On Wednesday, residents of Newport, Kentucky said a boy they found wandering the streets claimed to be Timmothy. A DNA test of the person conducted by the FBI revealed him to be 23 year-old Brian Michael Rini, a known felon with a rap sheet.

“Although we are disappointed that this turned out to be a hoax, we remain diligent in our search for Timmothy, as our missing person's case remains unsolved,” said Aurora, Illinois police spokesman Sgt. Bill Rowley.

Speaking about Rini, FBI Supervisory Special Agent Timothy Bean said DNA results indicate “the person in question is not Timmothy Pitzen. A local investigation continues into this person's true identity."

"To be clear, law enforcement has not and will not forget Timmothy, and we hope to one day reunite him with his family. Unfortunately, that day will not be today,” said Bean.

A report by the Aurora police said Rini claimed he fled to Aurora Wednesday after escaping "two kidnappers that have been holding him for seven years."

He described the kidnappers as two well-built white males. One man wore a spider web tattoo on his neck while the other sported a snake tattoo on his arms.

Timmothy was 6 years-old when he disappeared from Aurora on May 11, 2011. He would be 14 years-old today. While his father, James, believes Timmothy is alive, there is lingering suspicion the disappearance of Timmothy might have had something to do with his mother, Amy Fry-Pitzen.

His mother took Timmothy on a three-day trip where they had fun at amusement and water parks. She was found dead in a motel room in Rockford, Illinois on May 13. Police ruled her death a suicide. She left a cryptic suicide note stating Timmothy would never be found, but was safe with people who would care for him.

The phrase “would never be found” later bothered police, who said "a concerning amount" of blood found in Fry-Pitzen’s car belonged to Timmothy. Police said the car was parked in a grassy area, possibly near a stream, but close to a highway.