The family of Colton Crowshoe, 18, is speaking out against the way police handled the investigation into his disappearance earlier this month.

Police say the body found in a water retention pond on Thursday was that of Colton James Crowshoe, 18, of Calgary. (Calgary Police Service)

Police say his body was found in a water retention pond on Thursday and declared his death a homicide. Crowshoe had been reported missing on July 4 but his family says police didn't take them seriously when they filed the report.

"Calgary police officers who responded to our call for help dismissed our pleas and downplayed our version of events and at their discretion, ruled out any foul play," said Danielle Crowshoe, Colton's aunt. "Seemingly, police officers we dealt with at the time were more interested in justifying why they couldn't do more."

Emergency crews were called to a water retention pond in the area of Stoney Trail and 16 Avenue N.E. around 2 p.m. on July 24 for a report of a possible body.

The body was recovered from the pond and an autopsy on Friday identified it as belonging to Crowshoe.

The homicide unit is investigating and the cause of death is not being released at this time.

Police say they don't know how long Crowshoe has been dead and that is one of the questions they'll be looking at in their investigation.