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 earlier, according to a press release from the Middlesex District Attorney, the Lowell Police Superintendent, and the 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.
The boy, originally from Lawrence, was reported missing on April 19 after falling into the river while fishing with family, according to Boston 25 News.
“This is the most difficult moment that we will have to face since we finally found him,” Azriel’s aunt, Linda Lopez, told Boston 25. “He is here now, and we are 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 has been set up in Lowell, with friends and family members placing balloons and flowers in memory of Azriel.
According to the initial missing persons flyer, the Lowell Police and Fire departments received a 911 call around 5:44 p.m. on April 19 after Azriel fell into the water by the river’s Western Canal — near 300 Arcand Drive in Lowell — and was swept away by the current.
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.