The young boy from a viral 2014 photo taken at a protest for slain police brutality victim Michael Brown has gone missing after a Monday car crash.

According to the Associated Press, the family SUV of Jennifer and Sarah Hart went off of a 100 ft. cliff along the Northern California coast killing at least five family members. Both of Devonte's adoptive parents, who are white, and three of his siblings — 19-year-old Markis and Abigail and Jeremiah, both 14, — were found dead, according to authorities.

Devonte Hart, now 15, became a national sensation nearly four years ago after attending a march in honor of late Ferguson teen Mike Brown. Hart was wearing a "free hugs" sign when a white police officer embraced him in the now historic photo. The original photograph appeared in The Oregonian but quickly circulated among other national news outlets.

“We have every indication to believe that all six children were in there,” Mendocino County Sheriff Tom Allman said, appealing for tips to retrace where the siblings and two parents had been before the vehicle was found Monday in the rocky ocean. “We know that an entire family vanished and perished during this tragedy.”

Allman believes that Devonte and his siblings 16-year-old Hanna and 12-year-old Sierra were also in the SUV, but their bodies have not been recovered.

"We have no evidence and no reason to believe this was an intentional act," Allman said.

While Portland photographer Zippy Lomax said the Hart parents were "the kinds of parents this world desperately needs," neighbors had reason to have a differing opinion.

CBS News reports the Hart parents, who moved to Portland last Spring, have previously been accused of abusing their children. Dana DeKalb, who lived next door to the Hart family said Devonte repeatedly came to their door asking for food because his parents were "punishing [him and his siblings] by withholding food."

Bruce DeKalb said he received an equally troubling visit from one of Devonte's female siblings who came to their home at 2:30 AM one night asking for protection because her parents were abusing her.

The outlet also notes Sarah was charged with malicious punishment of a child in 2011 in Minnesota. The charge was later dismissed after she plead guilty to a domestic assault charge.

Washington state child protective services launched an investigation into the family on Friday. They claim they tried reaching out to the family since beginning the investigation but were unable to get in contact with them.

Investigators discovered that there were no skid marks brake marks indicating why the vehicle went off the cliff. More details are expected as the investigation continues.

Viral photo boy

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