Rochester Police have confirmed that late Sunday afternoon, divers from RPD and Monroe County recovered a body from the Genesee River near the Douglass-Anthony Bridge.
While Police Chief Michael Ciminelli says there needs to be confirmation of the identity of the person from the Medical Examiner’s office, the body is that of a male with “a physical and clothing description consisting with Trevyan Rowe.”
The 14-year-old boy had autism and was reported missing after he got off the school bus near School 12 on South Avenue Thursday morning, although his family apparently did not learn he was missing from school that day until several hours later.
District Superintendent Barbara Deane-Williams was among those at a Sunday night news conference and she did not want to speculate on what may have led to any possible breakdown in communications. She said there will be an independent investigation of what happened.
Deane-Williams also said there will be counseling provided for staff, students and anyone from the community who needs it during the day on Monday.
Ciminelli said police divers were led to that area of the Genesee River after getting some tips called in about someone seen in that vicinity.
Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren said while awaiting final confirmation from the Medical Examiner, Trevyan “is a very special little boy,” who captured the hearts of the entire community. She thanked thousands of people who took to the streets to look for him over the last few days.
Warren said there will be a public vigil for Trevyan on Monday evening, with details to be announced soon.
At an afternoon news conference earlier Sunday at the Al Sigl Center, Trevyan's mother, Carrie Houston, tearfully thanked people who had come from all over the region to help her try to get her son back.
The Rochester City School District released this statement Sunday night:
We are deeply saddened to share with you the passing of one of our students, Trevyan Rowe, who was a student at James P.B. Duffy School Number 12. Trevyan was a quiet, loving young man who will be terribly missed by both family and his fellow students. We would particularly like to thank the many community volunteers who assisted the police and our staff during a search that extended throughout the city. The district extends its deepest condolences to Trevyan’s family and friends. The Superintendent has announced that counselors for students and staff will be available at School 12, 999 South Avenue, on Monday morning beginning at 7 a.m. There is no greater tragedy than the loss of a child. Our thoughts and prayers are with Trevyan’s family and his school community.