ABINGTON, Mass. — The search for a missing Merrimack, New Hampshire boy concluded in Abington Saturday after police confirmed they believe they have found the body of missing 5-year-old Elijah Lewis.
Crews began searching a wooded area around Chestnut St. Friday. Search operations ended Friday at sundown and resumed Saturday at 8 a.m. before Elijah was found Saturday afternoon.
UPDATE: @PlymouthCtyDAO, @MassStatePolice, @AbingtonPDMass will hold a press conference at 1 PM with an update on the search for missing NH 5-year-old Elijah Lewis.
— Julianne Lima (@JulianneLimaTV) October 23, 2021
We have seen lots of police vehicles leaving the #Abington scene recently.@boston25 https://t.co/ruLSwHmBo1
Elijah was last seen about 30 days ago before he was found Saturday, October 23.
“Horrific tragedies like this often spur countless hours of dedication by so many,” said Governor Chris Sununu. “On behalf of the people of New Hampshire, I would like to thank New Hampshire and Massachusetts law enforcement and everyone else involved for their tireless focus this past week on bringing closure to this search. May Elijah rest in peace.”
Investigators haven’t said where the lead came from that shifted the search from New Hampshire to Massachusetts.
ALERT: Ames Nowell State Park in #Abington will remain closed today as police continue searching for missing NH 5-year-old Elijah Lewis@boston25 pic.twitter.com/ZI9kNoQtQ4
— Julianne Lima (@JulianneLimaTV) October 23, 2021
“The New Hampshire law enforcement community has worked tirelessly on this search over the past week with partners in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York, as well as our federal partners,” said Attorney General John Formella. “We extend our sincere thanks to all those who have assisted thus far. While we are deeply saddened by this tragic situation, we are ready for the work ahead.”
Last weekend, Elijah’s mother Danielle Dauphinias and her boyfriend Joseph Stapf were arrested in New York.
>>>PREVIOUS: 2 people, including mother, arrested in connection to disappearance of NH 5-year-old boy
On Wednesday, they were arraigned in a Nashua, New Hampshire courtroom charged with witness tampering and child endangerment. Outside that courtroom, Danielle’s brothers pleaded with her to come clean.
“DD please, please talk to us. Talk to the detectives. Let us know where Elijah is,” said Randy Stewart, who is Dauphinais’ brother and Elijah’s uncle.
“I think you’re always hopeful somebody’s alive until somebody’s found not to be,” DA Cruz said.
A candlelight vigil is planned on Sunday in Elijah’s home town of Merrimack, New Hampshire
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