Tragic Discovery: Body of Missing 7-Year-Old Girl Found Along Thames River in London, Ont.
In a heartbreaking turn of events, the body of a seven-year-old girl who had gone missing in the Thames River in London, Ont., last week has been recovered by search teams near the campus of Western University, police have confirmed.
The young girl, identified as Anna Bielli by friends and family, disappeared on Thursday along the river near Adelaide Street and Kipps Lane, sparking a massive search and rescue operation involving boats, divers, and a police helicopter.
After days of tireless searching, authorities located a child’s remains in the river near Perth Drive and University Drive at around 1 p.m. on Sunday. This location was more than three kilometres downstream from where Bielli was last seen.
“The remains are believed to be in relation to the ongoing missing person investigation from Thursday,” stated police, though they did not officially announce the victim’s identity.
Overcome with emotion, Bielli’s mother, Karen Fermill, expressed gratitude on Facebook, writing, “Prayers really moved heavens. They finally found my sweet Angel. Praise the Lord God.”
At a brief news conference held at University Drive Bridge, police Insp. Sean Travis confirmed the discovery of the child’s remains upstream from the conference site, acknowledging the tragedy and offering support to the grieving family.
Members of the family’s church, Anchor Church, stood by the river on Thursday, supporting Bielli’s mother and siblings as rescue crews searched the waters where she was last seen.
The community has rallied around the family, with a GoFundMe campaign raising over $3,000 to help cover funeral costs and support the family during this difficult time.
As investigations continue and funeral arrangements are made, Pastor Sudhir Basumatary assured that the church will provide whatever assistance it can to help the grieving family through their loss.
The extensive search effort involved over 150 personnel daily, with multiple agencies collaborating to scour the river and surrounding areas, showcasing a united front in the face of tragedy.
While the loss of young Anna Bielli has deeply affected the community, the outpouring of support and solidarity serves as a testament to the strength and compassion of all those involved in the search and the wider community.
In a heartbreaking turn of events, the body of a seven-year-old girl who had gone missing in the Thames River in London, Ont., last week has been recovered by search teams near the campus of Western University, police have confirmed.
The young girl, identified as Anna Bielli by friends and family, disappeared on Thursday along the river near Adelaide Street and Kipps Lane, sparking a massive search and rescue operation involving boats, divers, and a police helicopter.
After days of tireless searching, authorities located a child’s remains in the river near Perth Drive and University Drive at around 1 p.m. on Sunday. This location was more than three kilometres downstream from where Bielli was last seen.
“The remains are believed to be in relation to the ongoing missing person investigation from Thursday,” stated police, though they did not officially announce the victim’s identity.
Overcome with emotion, Bielli’s mother, Karen Fermill, expressed gratitude on Facebook, writing, “Prayers really moved heavens. They finally found my sweet Angel. Praise the Lord God.”
At a brief news conference held at University Drive Bridge, police Insp. Sean Travis confirmed the discovery of the child’s remains upstream from the conference site, acknowledging the tragedy and offering support to the grieving family.
Members of the family’s church, Anchor Church, stood by the river on Thursday, supporting Bielli’s mother and siblings as rescue crews searched the waters where she was last seen.
The community has rallied around the family, with a GoFundMe campaign raising over $3,000 to help cover funeral costs and support the family during this difficult time.
As investigations continue and funeral arrangements are made, Pastor Sudhir Basumatary assured that the church will provide whatever assistance it can to help the grieving family through their loss.
The extensive search effort involved over 150 personnel daily, with multiple agencies collaborating to scour the river and surrounding areas, showcasing a united front in the face of tragedy.
While the loss of young Anna Bielli has deeply affected the community, the outpouring of support and solidarity serves as a testament to the strength and compassion of all those involved in the search and the wider community.
