In the end, after three days of looking, a boy's body was found close to Waitarere Beach, just a few hundred metres from where Alex was last seen, not far from the fire station where the large search operation set up headquarters.
Although the body had yet to be formally identified last night, police had little doubt it was Alex.
For his family, friends and the searchers who worked tirelessly, it was, Inspector Sarah Stewart said, "absolutely the worst outcome".
His family was "devastated", she said, after visiting them to deliver the news personally.
The cause of death had yet to be established, but was being treated as suspicious and police have started a homicide investigation.
A local man connected to the disappearance appeared before Levin District Court on Wednesday.
He faced a single charge, of possessing a knife in the area where the search was focused.
He was granted interim name suppression and remanded in custody by consent. The court heard at least one further, unspecified charge was likely.
Alex was found just south of the main beach entrance in the tight-knit community near Levin.
Last night, in front of the beachside houses, soon after sunset, the body was removed.
Earlier forensic scientists scoured the area. Police stopped traffic along the beach and talked to members of the public.
A resident described the community as close and said its 500 or so residents were feeling spooked.
Her beachfront property looks onto the site where the body was found. She had not seen anything suspicious.
"We all watch out for each other but i never saw a thing. It's close to a walkway that has been regularly used over the last few days."
The search had been centered on Waitarere Forest but she knew Alex was not there because "no one could get lost in there".
The last confirmed sighting of Alex was at the Waitarere Four Square on Monday night with his adult brother Eric.
Staff last night echoed the description of the community as being full of people that looked out for each other.
It's unknown why Alex was in Waitarere.
He lived with his parents about 10km away in a quiet residential part of Levin, in a neighbourhood of modest houses and wide streets. Yesterday there was little activity in his street.
A woman who lives a few doors from Alex's family said the 10-year-old was not the kind of boy to run away.
"He's just a normal happy boy. He's always smiling, always polite. His parents love him to bits. He's their baby."
Alex was a student at Ohau School. Its August 2014 newsletter reports he won a bus award.
He was also a member of the 22-strong St Mary's Scout group in Levin.
Scout leader Barry Fitzgerald said Alex was a "typical 10-year-old young fella", eager to learn and enthusiastic about Scouting.
"We feel, obviously, deeply for the family," Mr Fitzgerald said.
Alex's family in Levin were devastated. All those who knew him would have to find a way through their grief.
"It's bad news. It shouldn't have happened," Mr Fitzgerald said.
The wider community also paid tribute to Alex last night.
The Boardroom bar on Oxford St, Levin has written "RIP Alex Fisher" in large lettering on its main-road facing signs.
Duty Manager Hayden Davidson said the whole community was devastated by the news of Alex's death.
"Everyone is feeling it, it's affected everyone. He's only 10-years-old, he hadn't even started living his life yet and the heartache of losing a child, that must just be absolutely unbearable."
Mr Davidson did not know the family, but the bar had set up a donation box which was filling quickly.
More than 130 people, many of them locals, helped look for Alex.
Yesterday morning police were still treating the operation as a search and rescue, and had not given up hope of finding him alive.
But more than 60 hours after he went missing, there were growing concerns for his health and safety.
By mid-afternoon, police had told media about the grisly discovery, after Ms Stewart had visited Alex's family.
Despite the find, police still have plenty to do, she said, appealing to anyone who saw Alex and Eric on or before Monday night to get in touch.
"Our investigation is likely to take some time as we build up a picture of the events that have led to this tragic outcome."
Post-mortem to be conducted today
A post-mortem examination is due to be conducted today on the body of a boy, believed to be Alex Fisher, which was found on Waitarere Beach yesterday.
Police released the update on their investigation in a statement to media this morning.
Arrangements for formal identification are being made and the investigation was expected to continue over the weekend, with 20 staff working to find out what happened to Alex.
Detective Senior Sergeant Neil Forlong said a number of "items of interest" were removed from the scene with the boy's body, but did not say what they were.
"While this is a homicide inquiry given the suspicious circumstances involved, we are keeping an open mind about exactly what has occurred," he said.
"We are however building a good picture of the events which led to the boy's death and it is important for the community in Waitarere to know that we do not believe there is any wider risk involved.
"We are aware that there is some speculation and rumour regarding the tragic events of the last few days.
"The purpose of the investigation is to establish the facts, and methodically gather all the information and evidence needed.
"We still want to hear from anyone who saw Alex Fisher or his brother Eric."
Mr Forlong said police also wanted to hear from Waitarere community members who may have seen or heard anything suspicious or unusual on their properties.
"We are mindful that the community is very shocked at the events of this week.
"We will obtain all the information we need for the coronial process and any possible judicial process which may follow, and ultimately establish the facts for the family and wider community," he said.
- By John Weekes of NZME News Service and Alecia Rousseau of the Manawatu Guardian
