Police believe body found in river is likely missing New Hampshire teen

NASHUA, N.H. (AP) — Police have pulled the body of a young man from a Massachusetts river and say it’s likely that of a teen who apparently fell down a storm drain in New Hampshire.

New Hampshire police said officials there, along with Tyngsboro, Massachusetts, authorities recovered the body from the Merrimack River at around noon Sunday.

Officials say based on an initial investigation, clothing description and the condition of the body, they believe it belongs to 16-year old Jacob Goulet, of Nashua, New Hampshire, who was reported missing Saturday.

Jacob Goulet age 16 photo depicts vest he was last seen wearing and current haircut. (7/7). pic.twitter.com/ZAgs5oyYWh

— Nashua Police (@NashuaPolice) October 23, 2016

Nashua police said confirmation of the victim’s identity will be completed by the Massachusetts Medical Examiner’s office.

‘‘Our thoughts and prayers are with Jacob’s family, friends, classmates, and the entire Nashua community at the probable tragic loss of Jacob Goulet,’’ the department tweeted.

On 10/23/16 @ 11:55 am the @massstatepolice air wing located the body of a male in the Merrimack River in Tyngsboro. Positive ID will (1/4)

— Nashua Police (@NashuaPolice) October 23, 2016

Be completed by the Mass Medical Examiners office, based on clothing and body description it appears to be Jacob Goulet the 16 (2/4)

— Nashua Police (@NashuaPolice) October 23, 2016

Year old who disappeared during Friday nights torrential rain. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jacob’s family, friends, classmates, (3/4)

— Nashua Police (@NashuaPolice) October 23, 2016

And the entire Nashua community at the probable tragic loss of Jacob Goulet. (4/4)

— Nashua Police (@NashuaPolice) October 23, 2016

Authorities had been searching the Nashua and Merrimack rivers, as well as Nashua’s sewer system since Goulet was reported missing by his parents after he did not return home from a friend’s house Friday night.

Police say they received a citizen report Friday night about personal items found near an open storm drain, leading authorities to believe Goulet fell down the drain.

A Massachusetts State Police spotter plane noticed the body Sunday morning as it was helping Nashua police in the search.

Nashua Mayor Jim Donchess said the city has hired a contractor to install cameras in the sewer system to continue looking for Goulet. He said a search already conducted did not reveal anything, and he said it’s not possible to shut the city sewer system down.

Nashua Mayor Jim Donchess said counselors will be available for students Monday morning at Nashua High School North, calling the incident ‘‘a tragedy for our community.’’