The search for a four-year-old Massachusetts boy who fell into a canal during a fishing trip with his family has ended in tragedy.
The body of Azriel Lopez was recovered from the Merrimack River on Friday nearly two weeks after he plunged into the water.
Azriel fell into the river on April 19 around 5:45 pm while fishing with his mother and siblings near the Tsongas Center, according to the Middlesex District Attorney.
Authorities believe he was quickly swept away by the river’s current.
His disappearance prompted a massive search effort involving more than 20 agencies.
An off-duty Massachusetts State Police trooper made the heartbreaking discovery around six miles from where Azriel was last seen.
The trooper, who had been searching independently in a personal boat, spotted what appeared to be a body around 9am near Trull Brook Golf Course.
The State Police Marine Unit and Dive Team responded to the scene, and the body was ‘tentatively identified’ as Azriel, according to the Middlesex District Attorney.
No foul play is suspected and the tragic case has been referred to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, according to police.
The search for 4-year-old Azriel Lopez ended in heartbreak Friday when his body was recovered from the Merrimack River
Authorities believe he was quickly swept away by the river’s current when he plunged into the water on April 19
‘This is the hardest moment that we’re going to have to overcome, 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 Azriel’s parents gathered near the riverbank where his body was recovered.
A memorial has since been set up in Lowell, with friends and family leaving balloons and flowers in Azriel’s memory, CBS Boston reported.
According to a missing persons flyer, Lowell Police and Fire responded to a 911 call at 5:44 pm on April 19, reporting that Azriel had fallen into the Western Canal near 300 Arcand Drive before being swept into the river.
The Friday press release stated that dozens of agencies assisted in the search and recovery, including the Lowell Police Drone Unit and Massachusetts State Police Air Wing, which used infrared technology, and the Massachusetts Environmental Police, who deployed sonar and side-scan sonar.
Linda Lopez described her nephew on social media as ‘a happy child full of energy.’ She also shared photos and a video of him smiling and playing with other children.
Azriel’s disappearance deeply affected the community as several residents joined the search, and a memorial grew along the Riverwalk where he was last seen, now adorned with candles, flowers, toys, and photographs, according to the Lowell Sun.
His disappearance prompted a massive search effort involving more than 20 agencies
Photos obtained by the outlet showed Azriel’s parents gathered near the riverbank where his body was recovered
According to a missing persons flyer, Lowell Police and Fire responded to a 911 call at 5:44 pm on April 19, reporting that Azriel had fallen into the Western Canal
The night before his body was found, two candles flickered at the site beside a handwritten note addressed to Azriel and his family
The night before his body was found, two candles flickered at the site beside a handwritten note addressed to Azriel and his family.
The message, written by two children identified as Harper and Rome, read: ‘Little Azriel, I know I don’t know you, but, I want you too know that alot of people that don’t know you are searching for you, and hoping, praying that we find you.’
To Azriel’s parents, the note added: ‘I don’t know you guys either but if I ever see you guys, or somehow you guys see this, I want you guys to know that many people are here to help you find your baby boy.’
On Friday afternoon, Lowell resident Debra Stout visited the memorial. She remembered seeing Azriel’s family gathered there the day after he disappeared.
‘I said, ‘I’m so sorry for what happened, I feel for you,’ she said. ‘I started to cry. It’s tragic. I’m just glad they have closure and maybe now they can find some peace.’
