Merrimack Community Holds Vigil For Elijah Lewis Found Dead

MERRIMACK, NH — Hundreds of people gathered in Watson Park in Merrimack on Sunday for a vigil to remember Elijah “Eli” Lewis.

The vigil was originally planned to keep the focus on the boy who investigators were looking to locate, and hadn’t been seen in about 30 days. After authorities said on Friday they believed he was deceased, Elijah was located in a state park in Abington, Massachusetts.

The group first thanked all the investigators and people that had helped in locating Elijah and those attending gave a round of applause. A family member who is the biological Aunt of Elijah’s oldest brother thanked members of the community who had made flyers, and ribbons.

Men and women took turns at the microphone celebrating Elijah, singing, reading stories, and holding a framed photo of Elijah up. Joshua a Pastor from a local church gave an inspirational talk and led the group in prayer. He mentioned that a community member had said "I haven't ever prayed this hard or long”.

The vigil lasted about one hour, and many participants stayed giving hugs and sharing stories.

Just before the vigil began the NH Attorney General Office released information on the autopsy that verified the boy found in Abington, MA was confirmed to be Elijah by dental records.

©Jeffrey Hastings www.frameofmindphoto.com/news