RAISINVILLE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WTOL) - The body of a little girl has been found along the River Raisin at Dixon Rd. just west of Monroe, Mich. That is 35 miles south-southwest of Detroit.
The body has not been identified as missing 5-year-old Nevaeh Buchanan, but some family members say they are 99.9 percent sure it is Nevaeh. Sheri Buchanan, the maternal grandmother who has custody of Nevaeh, said she is not giving up hope until she sees the body.
"He (the investigator) told me until the DNA is finalized he won't know nothin' and just to keep our hopes up," she said.
Authorities say two men found the body encased in cement along the bank of the River Raisin. The body is said to match the description of Nevaeh, though the family has not been allowed to see it.
"I don't even know how to describe it. It's just too much to handle right now all at once. We're grieving now for sure," said Diana Lawson, Nevaeh's great aunt.
Other family members were forthcoming with their thoughts.
"The person who did this is probably still out there, so he's still out there. Everybody still needs to keep their eyes open and their ears to the streets," said Shaun Lawson, a cousin.
Investigators have taken the body to Detroit for DNA testing.
Nevaeh was seen May 24, 2009 in the parking lot of her apartment complex in nearby Monroe. Earlier Thursday afternoon, the search for her took investigators, who'd received a tip, to the River Raisin.
Friends and family are comforting one another at the Charlotte Arms apartment complex where Nevaeh lived. Reverend Dale Hayford is also there.
