Search for missing boy called off
30 October 2012
Last updated at 19:02 GMT
Pierre vanished during a storm while exploring the island on his bike
But the French prosecutor in charge of the investigation insisted inquiries would still continue.
Pierre, from Grantham, Lincolnshire, vanished on Porquerolles while cycling in a storm on Saturday.
Pierre's father Stephen said: "Pierre is dead but I hope we find his body, then we can bury him. But I'm afraid that even that might not be possible."
Rescuers found the youngster's bike and one of his shoes on a path about 3km from the holiday home his family were renting.
He had disappeared just hours after arriving on the island for a half-term holiday with his family.
Search teams had been scouring crevices and caves where Pierre might have sought shelter from the strong winds, as well as ponds and pools he might have fallen into.
Divers and search dogs had also taken part in the search for the youngster, who was wearing a rugby shirt and a robe "worn like a superhero" cape when he vanished.
Xavier Tarabeux, the prosecutor in charge of the inquiry into the disappearance, said: "We haven't closed the investigation.
Stephen Barnes said his son's body may never be found
"We still have to perform a technical examination of the bike because its chain was broken when it was found.
"We still have to conduct hearings with witnesses who might have seen Pierre on his bicycle."
Investigators previously ruled out abduction, as there were no boats leaving Porquerolles when Pierre disappeared.
Mr Tarabeux said: "We do not think there is a criminal motive behind the disappearance.
'Let down' "However, it's still too early to say that the investigation is finished.
"After all our efforts, after combing the island thoroughly, we are stopping the search.
"The weather is getting bad and everything has been done to look for Pierre."
Paul Mourier, the prefect of the Var region, said: "Everything has been done, we have scoured the island on all sides. We have been let down."
Nathalie Bakhache, a senior police officer investigating Pierre's disappearance, said he "may have had an accident" or a "bad encounter".
Pierre Barnes: Search for missing boy called off
Pierre vanished during a storm while exploring the island on his bike
The search has been called off for a 12-year-old British boy who went missing on an island in the south of France.
The father of Pierre Barnes believes his son is dead and his body may never be found.But the French prosecutor in charge of the investigation insisted inquiries would still continue.
Pierre, from Grantham, Lincolnshire, vanished on Porquerolles while cycling in a storm on Saturday.
Pierre's father Stephen said: "Pierre is dead but I hope we find his body, then we can bury him. But I'm afraid that even that might not be possible."
Rescuers found the youngster's bike and one of his shoes on a path about 3km from the holiday home his family were renting.
He had disappeared just hours after arriving on the island for a half-term holiday with his family.
Search teams had been scouring crevices and caves where Pierre might have sought shelter from the strong winds, as well as ponds and pools he might have fallen into.
Divers and search dogs had also taken part in the search for the youngster, who was wearing a rugby shirt and a robe "worn like a superhero" cape when he vanished.
Xavier Tarabeux, the prosecutor in charge of the inquiry into the disappearance, said: "We haven't closed the investigation.
Stephen Barnes said his son's body may never be found
"We still have to conduct hearings with witnesses who might have seen Pierre on his bicycle."
Investigators previously ruled out abduction, as there were no boats leaving Porquerolles when Pierre disappeared.
Mr Tarabeux said: "We do not think there is a criminal motive behind the disappearance.
'Let down' "However, it's still too early to say that the investigation is finished.
"After all our efforts, after combing the island thoroughly, we are stopping the search.
"The weather is getting bad and everything has been done to look for Pierre."
Paul Mourier, the prefect of the Var region, said: "Everything has been done, we have scoured the island on all sides. We have been let down."
Nathalie Bakhache, a senior police officer investigating Pierre's disappearance, said he "may have had an accident" or a "bad encounter".
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