The body of a 4-year-old Massachusetts boy has been recovered from the Merrimack River, nearly two weeks after he went missing.
Azriel Lopez’s body was discovered on May 2 in Tewksbury, about six miles from where his family claimed he fell into the river 13 days before, according to a press release from the Middlesex district attorney, Lowell Police superintendent, and Massachusetts State Police colonel.
Around 9 a.m. Friday, an off-duty lieutenant with the Massachusetts State Police was on the Merrimack River in a personal boat when he discovered what appeared to be a body near a golf course, according to the release.
The Massachusetts State Police Marine Unit and Dive Team were dispatched to the scene, where the body was “tentatively identified” as Azriel.
The release states that no foul play is suspected, and the case has been referred to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
According to Boston 25 News, a boy from Lawrence went missing on April 19 after falling into the river while fishing with his family.
“This is the most difficult moment that we’ll have to face since we finally found him,” Azriel’s aunt, Linda Lopez, told Boston 25. “He’s here now, and we’re able to give him a proper burial and get the closure that we finally need.”
Photos obtained by the outlet showed the 4-year-old’s parents gathered on land near where his body was found.According to CBS Boston, a memorial in Lowell has been set up with balloons and flowers to honor Azriel’s memory.
The Lowell Police and Fire departments received a 911 call at 5:44 p.m. on April 19 after Azriel fell into the river’s Western Canal near 300 Arcand Drive in Lowell and was swept away by the current, according to an initial missing persons flyer.
According to Friday’s release, dozens of agencies from across the state assisted in Azriel’s search and recovery, including the Lowell Police Drone unit and Massachusetts State Police Airwing, which used infrared technology to search the waters, and the Massachusetts Environmental Police, which used sonar and side-scanning sonar.
