Photo: Lowell Police Department
LOWELL, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — The body of a young Lowell girl was recovered from the Merrimack River one day after she went missing from her home, law enforcement officials said Monday.
Anna Mburu, 7, was last seen Sunday July 9, between 2 and 3 p.m. in the driveway of her home on Geanna Lane. She was on the autism spectrum and was non-verbal.
"We are all heartbroken to be here this afternoon to report that it appears that the end of the search has come," Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan said at a press conference Monday afternoon. "The recovery of the body of a young child, preliminarily identified as 7-year-old Anna, was recovered around noontime in the Merrimack River in Tewksbury, in the area immediately adjacent to the Trull Brook Golf Club."
According to Ryan, Anna's body was found about 15-20 feet from the shore, in water that was between 8- and 9-feet deep, and about a mile and a half from where investigators believe she entered the water. A Massachusetts Environmental Police boat equipped with side-scan sonar had spotted an image in the river that appeared to be a person, leading divers to recover Anna's body.
Ryan said foul play is not suspected in Anna's death and it appears to be an accident.
"Anna’s family is now dealing with an unimaginable loss," Ryan said.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine an official cause of death.
During the two-day search for the missing child, authorities asked Lowell and Tewksbury residents in the areas of East Merrimack Street and River Road to check their properties, especially backyards, sheds, boats, and anywhere else that a child might be able to hide.
Residents were also asked to check any surveillance cameras they might have on their property.
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