Milwaukee ? After weeks of investigation, intensive searches and a tremendous outpouring of community support, the search for two missing boys came to a tragic end early Saturday.

After two bodies found in the McGovern Park lagoon were positively identified as those of Purvis Virginia Parker, 11, and Quadrevion Henning, 12, an autopsy determined that both boys died of accidental drowning, and their bodies had likely been at the lagoon’s bottom the entire time, said Jeffrey M. Jentzen, Milwaukee County medical examiner.

Police speculate that Purvis, who was not a strong swimmer, fell into the lagoon and that Quadrevion jumped in to try to save him. Neither boy showed signs of injury, and there was no indication of foul play, Jentzen said.

“This was nothing more than a tragic, tragic accident,” Milwaukee Police Chief Nannette Hegerty said, adding that, pending further information, the case was closed.

The temperature of the water when they fell in isn’t known, but divers had to break through ice a few days later to search, Hegerty said.

Jentzen said it would have taken just 10 to 15 minutes for the boys to die of hypothermia in such conditions and said the cold water could have incapacitated them almost immediately.

A man walking with his son through McGovern Park called 911 shortly before 7:30 p.m. Friday after spotting a body floating in the water.

From left: Reba Delgado, Eric Delgado, Athena Webster, and Iylonnie Delgado place flowers at a memorial for Quandrevion Henning and Purvis Virginia Parker at McGovern Park, Saturday, April 15, 2006 in Milwaukee, WI. Henning and Parker's bodies were discovered floating in McGovern Park's lagoon Friday night by a man and his son.

Police and the Fire Department Dive Rescue Team arrived a short time later, and Purvis’ body was recovered from the lagoon. Quadrevion’s body was discovered by Fire Department divers about 9:45 p.m.

Police believe Friday’s warm weather caused the bodies to float to the surface.

The boys were last seen when they told Quadrevion’s grandfather, Garry Henning, that they were going out to play basketball at the park about 3:30 p.m. on March 19.

When by early evening they hadn’t returned, Henning called police.

The two children became the subjects of intensive searches by police and members of the public, and the pair’s disappearance drew national attention. A reward fund was established and now totals about $70,000.

The lagoon was searched multiple times. Hegerty said the lagoon, which is about 20 feet deep at its deepest point, had “quite a bit of mud and muck in it” that may have hampered searchers.