Investigators from New Hampshire and Massachusetts say they located the body of five-year-old Elijah “Eli” Lewis off Chestnut Street in Abington.
Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz, Massachusetts State Police Colonel Chris Mason, Susan Morrell, a Senior Assistant Attorney General for New Hampshire provided the update during a press conference:
Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz said on Thursday, his office received credible information that led investigators to a wooded area off Chestnut Street in Abington.
The 12-hour search on Friday and Saturday was connected to the disappearance of 5-year-old Elijah “Eli” Lewis, who had not been seen for an extended period of time.
“Massachusetts State Police, New Hampshire State Police, along with the Abington Police have been searching these woods for the last day or so,” Cruz said during a Saturday press conference. “This morning, a state police cadaver dog and MSP Special Emergency Response Team members located what was presumed to be Elijah Lewis’ body buried in the ground.”
Numerous assets from across New England responded to that scene, including K9’s, drones, and the State Police Airwing.
On Saturday morning, he said a state trooper noticed ground that appeared to be disturbed about 250 yards off Chestnut Street.
“We’re going to turn our efforts to getting justice for this little boy, and I’m not going to say anything at this point that might jeopardize justice for Eli. I commend all the investigators, all the troopers, all the officers from New Hampshire, from Massachusetts, Rhode Island,” said Cruz. “The joint work together was really tremendous. They worked really hard to find this little boy.”
Susan Morrell, a Senior Assistant Attorney General for New Hampshire, says their State Police Major Crimes Unit started the investigation on October 14th.
“This case is related to charges that were brought against Danielle Dauphinais and Joseph Stapf earlier this week in New Hampshire for Child Endangerment and Witness Tampering,” said Morrell.
Dauphinais, 35 and Stapf, 30 of Merrimack, New Hampshire entered not guilty pleas to charges against them. They were arrested in New York.
“We are very saddened about this situation, about Elijah’s death, the fact that he was disposed of down here in the woods,” said Morrell. “Our sympathies go out to his family, and friends of the family, and to the community who’s mourning his death.”
Cruz and Morrell say the Massachusetts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the exact manner and cause of death.
“Once we have a determination of cause and manner of death, we’ll be examining all of our facts that we’ve gathered in the investigation and determining what, if any, further charges will be brought,” said Morrell.
Massachusetts State Police Colonel Chris Mason commended those who assisted with the multi-state investigation.
“Today, our thoughts are with Eli’s family and the entire Merrimack community,” said Mason. “I’m glad and relieved that we were able to bring some closure to this part of the ongoing investigation and most importantly, help bring Eli home with some dignity.”
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner leaves the scene in Abington. Photo credit: Lenny Rowe.
Numerous investigators comb the woods along Chestnut Street in Abington. Photo credit: Lenny Rowe.
On Friday, the State Police Airwing hovered above Chestnut Street in Abington. Photo credit: Lenny Rowe.
On Friday, Abington, Massachusetts and New Hampshire State Police investigate along Chestnut Street in Abington. Photo credit: Lenny Rowe.
