West Stewartstown, New Hampshire - August 1, 2011
A young life cut tragically short.
"We are just shocked and grieving what happened," said Tina Harding, who knew Celina Cass.
"Even though they drawed it to a conclusion at least we know where she is going," said Adam Laro, Celina's father.
More than 100 people attended a prayer vigil in West Stewartstown for 11-year-old Celina Cass.
"We have brought Celina home, but not the way we wanted to," New Hampshire Assistant Attorney General Jane Young said.
A dive team made the grim discovery in the Connecticut River around 10:30 a.m. Monday, just one-quarter mile from Celina's home.
It has been exactly one week since she had been seen alive playing on the computer inside the home.
The attorney general's office says they are now treating this missing persons case as a crime.
"Based on what we have seen we are treating it as suspicious," Young said.
Investigators say they will continue to canvas the area over the next few days.
"We have made no determination of where the body was put in the river," Young said.
Crime tape has once again been wrapped around Celina's home. It had been taken down Friday night.
"Everybody in the world wants to know what happened to her," said Adam Laro, Celina's brother. "I just hope that whoever did this pays for it."
Those who gathered to mourn the loss of their friend, neighbor, and classmate said they felt like Celina was there watching them with her big smile, as they sent balloons with messages up into the sky.
"Happy, energetic, never sad," said Bailey Swallow, Celina's friend.
An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday morning.
And Celina Cass' stepfather was taken to the hospital Monday morning. No word on why or if it is in anyway related to the case.
Matt Henson - WCAX News
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