Vigil Planned To Honor Boy Found Dead After Massive Lowell Search

LOWELL, MA — A vigil is planned in support of the family of Harry Kkonde, a 3-year-old boy who went missing Tuesday from his babysitter's house and was found dead Wednesday.

After joining forces in the search for Harry, the Lowell community is once again coming together to honor him, with a candlelight vigil set for 7:30 p.m. Friday at City Hall.

The Kkonde family, along with Lowell city councilors and members of the Lowell Police Department plan to attend the vigil, according to Lynn Kate, one of the event's organizers.

Harry was reported missing around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday morning by his babysitter. Officials arrived quickly, launching a massive search that eventually grew to involve more than 200 first responders from police units across the state and local volunteers.

A Massachusetts State Police diver found Harry's body in a nearby pond around 1:10 p.m. Wednesday, more than a day after the search began.

"This is obviously every parent's worst nightmare," District Attorney Marian Ryan said at a Wednesday press conference. "Our thoughts and hearts are with the family who lost this child."

Ryan said investigators are eyeing every angle to determine what happened, including possible foul play, although there was no obvious trauma to Harry's body. The medical examiner is working to find a time and cause of death.