AG On Merrimack Boy: 'As Of Today, We Believe Elijah Is Deceased'

MERRIMACK, NH — Senior Assistant Attorney General Benjamin Agati and Merrimack Police Chief Brian Levesque spoke Friday, giving updated information on the search for missing 5-year-old Elijah "Eli" Lewis, with the discussion taking a grim turn in the case.

Agati said the information came into investigators Thursday and Friday that led them to Massachusetts. He said that information was specific and vetted. Agati said that nothing had been found, at this point, but the operation was only done during daylight. The operation will restart at 8 a.m. on Saturday. He said he believes Saturday will be the conclusion of the search.

Asked if the search will begin in Merrimack again on Saturday, he said there are no plans for a search in Merrimack.

Agati said that everyone hoped that Elijah would be found alive but we have to face the probability "he is not ok." He went on to say, "the belief at this time is he is deceased."

When asked if Danielle, Elijah's Mother was cooperating Agati said that New Hampshire standards of professional conduct prevent him from speaking to that, no matter if she had spoken or hadn't spoken.

Watch as Senior Assistant Benjamin Agati gives an update on the investigation

Several law enforcement agencies have worked for more than a week on an investigation surrounding the missing boy.

Thursday divers and underwater recovery teams from all New England states worked to assist New Hampshire State Police, Marine Patrol, and Fish and Game. The teams search Naticook lake by boat, kayak, and underwater using specialized equipment.

According to WCVB-TV, a cellphone found at a pond in Ayer, MA, was one clue that led investigators to Abington.

ALSO READ:

• Mass, NH Officials Search Abington For Missing 5-Year-Old: Report
• Crews From Around New England Search For Missing Merrimack Boy
• Merrimack Couple Still In New York; NH Boy Still Missing
• Divers Search Merrimack Lake During Missing Child Investigation
• Authorities Search Merrimack Lake As Part Of Missing Child Case
• Merrimack Police Looking For Child Missing For 6 Months
• Merrimack Police, NH State Police Investigating Incident

Friday morning there was no law enforcement personnel on the lake, or in the woods of New Hampshire. Sources learned several members of the NH State Police were traveling to Massachusetts. The house at 7 Sunset Ave remained surrounded by crime scene tape and a Merrimack police officer was stationed outside in a cruiser.

In a press release Attorney General John M. Formella, New Hampshire State Police Colonel Nathan A. Noyes, and Merrimack Police Chief Brian K. Levesque announce that there is an ongoing search in Abington, Massachusetts. These operations are part of a missing person’s investigation into the disappearance of Elijah Lewis from Merrimack.

The search is being conducted in the area of Chestnut Street in Abington based on information learned in the investigation. The search is being conducted by the Massachusetts State Police with assistance from personnel from the New Hampshire State Police Major Crime Unit. The Department of Justice, New Hampshire State Police, and Merrimack Police Department are thankful for the assistance and response of the Massachusetts State Police and the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office.

As previously reported, Elijah’s unknown whereabouts were brought to the attention of authorities by DCYF on Thursday, October 14, 2021. He is believed to have been missing for less than 30 days before his disappearance was brought to the attention of authorities. The Merrimack Police Department immediately began an investigation and was assisted later that day by the New Hampshire State Police and the New Hampshire Department of Justice. Elijah was never reported missing to authorities prior to this time. Elijah’s photo is attached to this release as well.

Anyone with information on Elijah’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Merrimack Police Department’s Crimeline at (603) 424-2424 or New Hampshire State Police Communications at (603) 223-4381 or 603-MCU-TIPS (603-628-8477). Lead Investigator Detective Sergeant Kelly Healey, Major Crime Unit, can be contacted directly at Kelly.A.Healey@dos.nh.gov.

Based on the information currently known to investigators, there does not appear to be any danger to the public. The investigation is ongoing and additional information will be released as it becomes available while protecting the integrity of the investigation.