LOWELL, MASS. (WHDH) – The body of a 7-year-old girl from Lowell who had been missing since Sunday afternoon has been located, according to officials.

At a news conference on Monday afternoon, authorities announced that crews had found the body of Anna Mburu while searching the Merrimack River earlier in the day

“This is not the way we wanted it to end, unfortunately, but we did everything I think we could possibly do to help the family,” said Lowell Police Chief Greg Hudon.

Both the Middlesex District Attorney’s office and Lowell police had turned to the public for help at one point as they searched for the 7-year-old girl with autism, who was described as being nonverbal and who was last seen near East Merrimack Street in the Belvidere section of the city between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday.

Anna’s family alerted authorities at the time, leading to state and local police launching a search that stemmed from her home at Geana Lane to surrounding neighborhoods and Tewksbury.

Throughout Sunday and late into the night, officers on ATVs, bikes and boats could be seen searching the Merrimack River and surrounding area. A Massachusetts State Police helicopter crew and drone were also part of the effort.

The DA’s office, in a statement, said state environmental police were eventually able to find “an image that appeared to be Anna” using sonar equipment in the Merrimack River. Divers later recovered her body, according to the DA’s office.

“The girl preliminarily believed to be Anna, was located in the Merrimack River in the area of the Trull Brook Golf Course in Tewksbury,” the DA’s office said in a news release. “She was found about 15 to 20 yards from shore in 8 to 9 feet of water.”

Hundreds of people previously pitched in to help with this search, offering extra hands and eyes.

Anna’s art teacher was among those helping.

“At first I thought, ‘Maybe she’s just playing. She’s a funny little girl and she’s a runner — she likes to run and hide,” said Lisa Labrecque.

After learning Anna’s unfortunate fate, community members shared their thoughts on what was a blow to a community hoping for the best.

“I feel very, very sad for the family,” said Joanne Pereira. “It’s devastating to find a child knowing she’s gone now.”

While the DA’s office said Anna’s body “did not have any obvious signs of trauma,” the office said an autopsy will be performed and the medical examiner will determine the cause and manner of death.

Ryan said she does not believe there was any foul play in this incident.

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