A family and a community is currently mourning the loss of a sweet 13-year-old boy who was found dead after being pulled from the East River on Thursday morning. As heartbreaking as this is, cops now worry that another family may have to deal with the same pain of losing a loved one.
Earlier this week, NYPD had asked for the public’s help on Tuesday to help find 13-year-old Garrett Warren and 11-year-old Alfa Barrie. The young boys were last seen last weekend and were believed to have been seen together at a park near 143rd and Lenox, according to local reports. Following a search, police confirmed they recovered the body of Warren around 10:15 a.m. on Thursday. His family was called to the 32nd Precinct, where police had to tell the tragic news. “When they found out, they was in disbelief … The mother just collapsed. She collapsed,” said Harlem community activist Jackie Rowe-Adams. Police sources say that Warren’s body did not show signs of trauma and no foul play is suspected at this time.
After the discovery of Warren’s body, police continued the search for his friend, 11-year-old Alfa Barrie. However, police just shared an update, saying a body was found floating in the Hudson River Saturday morning. It is believed to be missing Barrie based on gender and the apparent age of the deceased.
While an official identification is pending, it was said that Barrie’s family have been alerted to the body’s discovery and were talking to investigators earlier this Saturday.
Cops believe the two friends went to a local fish shop with a group of boys and then went to the river. Alfa’s Bronx family reported him missing Sunday morning. Warren’s parents also reported their son missing the next day at about 3 p.m.
Alfa’s uncle said the boy had never run away from home and his mother was left distraught over his disappearance. “His mother hasn’t slept in days. She doesn’t eat,” he said earlier this week. “She just waits and cries.” Family and friends of Warren have since set up a memorial to remember his life.
We will continue to keep you updated as this story develops.
UPDATE: (2:04pm EST) Body Found In Hudson River Is Missing 11-Year-Old Alfa Barrie
In an afternoon update, police confirmed that the second body that was pulled from the river this Saturday morning is Alfa Barrie. The city’s medical examiner will determine a cause of death.
Natasha Trivers, CEO of Democracy Prep Public Schools released a statement on his passing. She said, “We are devastated to learn that Alfa Ousmane Barrie is no longer with us. Our hearts go out to his family and friends, and the community that is grieving for him. Alfa was a 6th grader at Democracy Prep Harlem Middle School, where he stood out as a funny, bright, witty, inquisitive and brave child.”
“He will be sorely missed by his teachers and fellow students. We also stand in solidarity with the family of Alfa’s friend, Garrett Warren. While he was not a student, we understand that this is a difficult time for his community as well and share our prayers with them.”
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