A person who falsely claimed to be a missing boy from Illinois is a convicted burglar, the FBI has said.

Timmothy Pitzen disappeared in 2011 - and he would have been 14 years old now.

His family's hopes were raised after a young man wandering the streets of Kentucky identified himself as Timmothy to police - telling them he had just escaped from two men who had held him captive for seven years.

But FBI investigators have declared his story to be a hoax after the man's DNA was not a match.

Officials have identified him as Brian Rini, a 23-year-old who had been released from a prison in Ohio less than a month ago after serving more than a year for burglary and vandalism.


In a statement, the FBI vowed to not forget Timmothy, and hoped to "one day reunite him with his family".

They added: "Unfortunately, that day will not be today."

Image: An 'aged' image of Timmothy Pitzen produced by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

Timmothy's family said they were heartbroken by the hoax.

His aunt Kara Jacobs said: "It's devastating. It's like reliving that day all over again, and Timmothy's father is devastated once again."

The boy's grandmother Alana Anderson added: "It's been awful. We've been on tenterhooks, hopeful and frightened. It's just been exhausting.

"I feel so sorry for the young man who's obviously had a horrible time and felt the need to say he was somebody else."

Image: Timmothy's mum Amy Fry-Pitzen apparently took her own life but left a note saying he was safe

Timmothy was six years old when his mother Amy Fry-Pitzen took him from school in Aurora, Illinois, and travelled to a zoo and water park in the neighbouring state of Wisconsin.

Two days later, the boy's mother was found dead in a hotel room in Rockford, Illinois.

Reports at the time said she had checked in alone and written a cryptic note that said her son was safe, but added: "You'll never find him."

Police have said Timmothy's mother might have dropped him off with a friend, noting that the boy's car seat and Spider-Man backpack were gone.

Detectives also found credit card receipts showing she bought children's clothing and toys in Wisconsin.

Timmothy's grandmother said her daughter had fought depression for years and was having problems in her marriage to the child's father.

Some reports suggested she was afraid she would lose custody of the boy in a divorce because of her mental state.

Image: The last known sighting of Timmothy, checking out of a resort in Wisconsin with his mother. Pic: National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

Rini's younger brother, Jonathan, told local media he hoped his sibling would be sent back to prison for the hoax.

He said: "He's been doing stupid stuff as long as I can remember.

"I hope he gets help. I also hope he goes to prison for this or at least an institution."

Jonathan also said his brother had a history of mental illness, adding: "He has Asperger's, bipolar disorder, ADHD, the list goes on.

"He was receiving treatment but then he stopped and started getting in more trouble."

CCTV of Timmothy Pitzen before he went missing

At the time of the Timmothy's disappearance, police searched for him in Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa.

Police in Aurora, Timmothy's hometown, say they have received thousands of tips over the years - including false sightings.

"We're always worried about copycats, especially something that has a big national attention like this," Police Sergeant Bill Rowley said.