MONTPELIER, Vt– “You couldn’t get him to stop talking,” said Ami Perkins, Hunter’s mom. “He was full of life and just loved everything.”

That’s how family and friends remember Hunter Wiltse, the four-year Barre boy who drowned July 19 at a family gathering in Montpelier.  

“A fun night ended to be a complete tragedy,” Perkins said.

Police are still investigating the circumstances of Hunter’s death, which happened in a backyard swimming pool on Terrace Street In Montpelier./

According to police, the boy went missing. Partygoers searched the house and surrounding area, before a 16-year-old boy found him at the bottom of the pool.  

“I looked away for a few minutes,” said Matt Wiltse, Hunter’s dad. “It was too late by the time we got him. It was the worst day of my life.”

Hunter’s parents say while too short, there are four years of memories to cherish. On Saturday, friends and family sported Batman t-shirts with the name ‘Hunter’ on them. The group gathered at one of his favorite places to play, Hubbard Park.

“You know we were just here a few days before he died and he had a lot of fun,” Wiltse said.

“From the time he woke up to the time he went to bed, that kid was outside playing around and watching birds,” said Ryan Grandfield, Hunter’s oldest brother.

While each day without Hunter is challenging, his parents are thankful for the support.

“I’m shattered, living without him every day is really hard,” Perkins said. “But I’m also excited everyone’s here to celebrate him and remember the good times we had with him.”