ST. Body Found in River During Search for Missing 30-Year-Old Man with Autism

The Dearborn Heights Police Department released a statement saying they found a body in Rouge River near Hines Park around 3 p.m. local time on Thursday, January 8.

The body was found during their search for Yousif Hassan Naim, 30, who was last seen around 1:30 p.m. the previous day. His family told officers he had difficulty talking to strangers and was last seen walking north on Beaverland Street in Detroit.

Although officials have yet to formally identify the body, they said it appears to match the description of the missing man.

“We are awaiting further confirmation from the Wayne County Medical Examiner’s Office,” they said, noting that the investigation remains ongoing.

The grim development came after a 26 hour “massive search effort” that involved over 200 community members, Dearborn Heights Mayor Mo Baydoun said in a statement on Facebook.

“My deepest condolences go out to the Naim family. I ask that our entire city wrap them in love and prayer during this time,” Baydoun added.

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Michael Guzowski, Dearborn Heights’ Chief of Police, told local NBC affiliate WDIV that he has spoken with Naim’s family and that officials will  “continue to support the family throughout this process.”

“This is an extremely tragic situation,” he said.

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Although officials have not shared many details about the investigation, he said that there wasn’t any “indication that this person was in crisis.”

The Dearborn Heights Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’S request for comment but Guzowski said an advocate has been assigned to the family.