Cops say body in river is boy, 13, who vanished with pal who is still missing
Police have tonight tragically confirmed a body pulled from the river is that of a 13-year-old boy who vanished with his friend - who is still missing.
Scuba divers from the New York Police Department have been spotted heading into the Harlem River this morning, with a crime scene having been set up after a body was found, near where Alfa Barrie, 11, and Garrett Warren, 13, were last seen.
A crime scene has been set up near the Madison Avenue Bridge where multiple people are reported to have seen the body. There have been reports that police have said based on the body's appearance and clothing, it could be one of the two missing boys last seen in Harlem - and tonight police have confirmed the sad news.
Garrett's family were told by police and told reporters that the remains belonged to their loved one.
Garrett's godmother Christine Vargas told local media: "Right now is a trying time for both families, we ask that you guys keep them both in your prayers, we need all prayers we can get."
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NYPD helicopters were spotted overhead at the Harlem River as divers began their work and the Medical Examiner arrived on Randall's Island. Sources have said the body was brought by the NYPD Harbor Unit to Randall's Island.
Alfa and Garrett were last seen near the 145th Street Bridge in the early hours of Saturday morning, May 13, at around 1.30am The pair were last spotted together.
Garrett Warren, 13, was seen in front of his home on Saturday at around 1.30am
Alfa Barrie, 11, was last seen on Friday night near the Harlem RiverA police search was carried out on Friday night and another search was conducted on Tuesday, May 16. The NYPD Harbor Unit were seen scouring the area along the Harlem River in a search for the boys.
Alfa reportedly lived in the Bronx, while Garrett is said to live in Upper Manhattan, according to police. A poster for the missing boys describes Barrie as 5ft 2" tall, weighing around 100 pounds. Warren is described as 6ft tall and around 215 pounds.
An autopsy is expected to be performed on Friday.
CBS2 reports Garrett's body showed no signs of trauma and no foul play is suspected by police at this time.
Police now say they will narrow its search for Alfa in the river.
The boys were spotted on surveillance video leaving one of their homes before walking together to 145th Street and Lenox Avenue in Harlem at around 6pm on Friday, according to the NYPD.
"We are trying to identify everybody who was with them," said Brian Gill, deputy chief at Detective Borough Manhattan North. "We need to speak to every single person who was with them... We want to talk to their classmates. We've been in contact with their schools."
Police have recovered a body from the Harlem River (WABC-TV)Barrie was last seen in the location in Harlem, while Warren was last seen in front of his home at around 1.30am on Saturday, May 13. His grandmother, Candy Bojng said: "Find my grandson. This is now like him. He is not a little boy who just up and disappears for days and days."
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Barrie's older sister, Fatima Diallo, spoke of her brother, the youngest of six children, saying: "This was the first time this ever happened."
As the search for the missing boys intensified, the NYPD called on the public to come forward with any and all information which could help locate them.
"There are millions of eyes and ears in our city, and we are asking all of them right now to help us find these children," said Ruel Stephenson, assistant chief at Patrol Borough Manhattan North.
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