Vigil planned for Elijah Lewis as investigators find remains buried in Abington, Massachusetts woods

uh, as you all know, massachusetts? State Police, New Hampshire State police along the Abington police have been searching these woods for the last day or so, uh, this morning. Uh, State police, uh, cadaver dog and MSP special emergency response team members located was presumed to be Elijah Lewis's body buried in the ground. I'm not gonna get into the specifics of the crime scene or in the manner in which this boy's body was found at this time. Uh, this once again remains an active and ongoing investigation. It's just beginning right now. We're gonna turn our efforts to getting justice for this little boy. And I'm not gonna say anything at this point that might jeopardize justice for eli. Um, I commend all the investigators, all the troopers, all the offices from new Hampshire from massachusetts Rhode island. Uh, the joint work together was really tremendous. They worked really hard to find this little boy until they did find him. Um, on thursday in our office has been contacted about credible information that led to this wooded area off of chestnut Street. Uh, Colonel Mason sent many assets here to this scene. We're very grateful for that effort uh, to make sure that we could find this little boy. Uh, the office of the chief medical examiner arrived on scene *** little while back and they've left the scene since then. Uh, the crime scene services are still processing the scene. The medical examiner will make *** determination of the exact manner and cause of death of eli. Um, at this point, no one has been charged with this matter. Uh, obviously that's gonna be part of the work. That's gonna have to go back and forth and work together to make sure we can come to *** resolution. Uh, like I said, this investigation, it's early, it's ongoing. Uh, and we need to go where the facts take us and where the event occurred and what the next step may be. Obviously, *** little boy is gone. Nobody deserved to die this way. And we need to make sure we do everything in our power to make sure we can get justice for this little boy. So, once again, I want to thank all the troopers, uh, from both states that worked really hard and coming to *** resolution for this. And this is the beginning of the uh, the investigation at this point.

Investigators returned to the woods of Abington, Massachusetts Saturday and found what they believe to be the body of a New Hampshire boy who has not been seen for about a month, Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz said. Searchers converged on a wooded area of Abington off Chestnut Street Friday and again Saturday in connection with the disappearance of 5-year-old Elijah Lewis of Merrimack.Cruz said investigators searching the area with cadaver dogs Saturday found what they believe to be the buried body of Elijah.“Obviously, a little boy is gone, and no one deserves to die this way,” Cruz said. “We will do everything in our power to make sure we get justice for this little boy.” "While identification is pending, the appearance and condition of the body lead investigators to believe that the body is that of five year-old Elijah Lewis," New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella said. Sources told 5 Investigates it was a cellphone that was dumped at Sandy Pond in Ayer, Massachusetts, that broke this case open, leading investigators to Abington.On Friday, investigators from multiple agencies were combing the Chestnut Street woods, including Massachusetts State Police, New Hampshire State Police, Massachusetts Air Wing, Massachusetts Environmental Police, as well as the Massachusetts State Police's mobile crime investigation units. It was during the second day of searching the area that the heartbreaking discovery was made. An autopsy will be conducted Sunday in Massachusetts to determine the manner and cause of Elijah's death. No charges directly related to the boy's death have yet been filed."Once we have determination of cause and manner of death, we will be examining all our facts and determining what, if any, further charges will be brought," said Senior Assistant New Hampshire Attorney General Susan Morrell.Elijah's mother, Danielle Denise Dauphinais, 35, and her boyfriend Joseph Stapf, 30, were located and arrested by New York City transit police officers this week in the Bronx on warrants charging them with witness tampering and child endangerment.Both were held without bail after their arraignment on the charges Wednesday.Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation said Ames Nowell State Park in Abington was closed to visitors Saturday because of the investigation. It is expected to reopen when police activities conclude.The New Hampshire Attorney General's Office said Elijah's disappearance was initially brought to the attention of authorities by the Division for Children, Youth and Families on Thursday, Oct. 14. Investigators believe Elijah was last seen at his home sometime within the last 30 days.Investigators said Elijah was never reported missing to authorities prior to that notification from DCYF.

Searchers converged on a wooded area of Abington off Chestnut Street Friday and again Saturday in connection with the disappearance of 5-year-old Elijah Lewis of Merrimack.

Cruz said investigators searching the area with cadaver dogs Saturday found what they believe to be the buried body of Elijah.

“Obviously, a little boy is gone, and no one deserves to die this way,” Cruz said. “We will do everything in our power to make sure we get justice for this little boy.”

"While identification is pending, the appearance and condition of the body lead investigators to believe that the body is that of five year-old Elijah Lewis," New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella said.

Sources told 5 Investigates it was a cellphone that was dumped at Sandy Pond in Ayer, Massachusetts, that broke this case open, leading investigators to Abington.

On Friday, investigators from multiple agencies were combing the Chestnut Street woods, including Massachusetts State Police, New Hampshire State Police, Massachusetts Air Wing, Massachusetts Environmental Police, as well as the Massachusetts State Police's mobile crime investigation units. It was during the second day of searching the area that the heartbreaking discovery was made.

An autopsy will be conducted Sunday in Massachusetts to determine the manner and cause of Elijah's death. No charges directly related to the boy's death have yet been filed.

"Once we have determination of cause and manner of death, we will be examining all our facts and determining what, if any, further charges will be brought," said Senior Assistant New Hampshire Attorney General Susan Morrell.

Elijah's mother, Danielle Denise Dauphinais, 35, and her boyfriend Joseph Stapf, 30, were located and arrested by New York City transit police officers this week in the Bronx on warrants charging them with witness tampering and child endangerment.

Both were held without bail after their arraignment on the charges Wednesday.

WCVB

Danielle Denise Dauphinais and Joseph Stapf

Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation said Ames Nowell State Park in Abington was closed to visitors Saturday because of the investigation. It is expected to reopen when police activities conclude.

The New Hampshire Attorney General's Office said Elijah's disappearance was initially brought to the attention of authorities by the Division for Children, Youth and Families on Thursday, Oct. 14. Investigators believe Elijah was last seen at his home sometime within the last 30 days.

Investigators said Elijah was never reported missing to authorities prior to that notification from DCYF.

NH Attorney General's Office

Vigil planned for Elijah Lewis as investigators find remains buried in Abington, Massachusetts woods

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