LOWELL, Mass. – The body of a 7-year-old girl who disappeared from the driveway of her Lowell home over the weekend was found Monday in the Merrimack River in Tewksbury, law enforcement said.
Anna Mburu, who had autism and was non-verbal, was found dead about 15 to 20 feet from shore in about eight feet of water near Trull Brook Golf Course about 12 p.m., almost 24 hours later that state and local police launched a massive manhunt, according to Middlesex District Attorney Marian T. Ryan.
sad news The body of missing 7-year-old Anna from Lowell has reportedly been recovered from the Merrimack River. “It’s heartbreaking to be here,” Marian Ryan said. @boston25 pic.twitter.com/yOPK2Q0BTs
— Bob Ward Boston 25 (@Bward3) July 10, 2023
A Massachusetts Environmental Police vessel equipped with side-scan sonar spotted an image in the river that appeared to be a person, and divers recovered Anna’s body.
Ryan noted that foul play is not suspected in Anna’s death.
“The child’s body had no obvious signs of trauma,” Ryan said. “Anna’s family now faces an unimaginable loss.”
Lowell police said Anna was last seen in the driveway of her home on East Merrimack Street in the Belvedere neighborhood between 2pm and 3pm on Sunday.
Neighbors, teachers and other community members took to the streets, blowing bubbles and desperately calling out for Anna before the sun set on Sunday evening.
“We literally had hundreds of people out. People were out with flashlights checking their property and checking the property of those who might be out,” Ryan said.
Desperate search efforts resumed Monday morning with bicycles, four-wheelers, K9 units and a drone.
Ryan had urged Lowell and Tewksbury residents, particularly those living in the East Merrimack Street and River Road areas, to review surveillance video and search their yards, sheds and boats.
“She’s one of four children, but every child is special,” neighborhood resident Deborah Agrella said of Anna. “We are all devastated.”
Officials had expressed hope that Anna got lost or fell asleep somewhere outside.
The medical examiner’s office is working to determine an official cause of death.
The investigation into his disappearance is still ongoing.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.
Follow Boston 25 News at Facebook i Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
©2023 Cox Media Group
