MONROE For nearly five days, Nevaeh Buchanan s family remained hopeful the body found along the River Raisin wasn t that of the 5-year-old who went missing more than two weeks ago outside her North Macomb Street apartment.
That hope turned to sadness yesterday as they learned that DNA testing confirmed the child buried in a shallow grave, just inches from the river, was Nevaeh.
Family members, some of whom spoke last night outside Charlotte Arms apartments where Nevaeh lived with her mother and grandmother, said they were heartbroken. I [would have] liked to hold her and love her to death again. She is going to be well missed by this family. I can t say no more. It s just killing me. My kneecaps are shaking, said Diane Lawson, Nevaeh s great aunt.
Michael Buchanan, the victim s uncle, said the family has been overwhelmed by the community s support. He thanked everyone who helped in the search or gave donations. I feel a lot of sadness now, but at the same time, I am happy for the help that our family has gotten, Mr. Buchanan said.
The Monroe County Sheriff s Office released no more information on the autopsy being performed by the Wayne County Medical Examiner s Office in Detroit. Authorities have said the body had no signs of trauma.
Sgt. Brian Angerer said the results of the DNA testing were the only information released. The autopsy was continuing. We are putting out the information as soon as we get it, he said.
Nevaeh s grandmother, Sherry Buchanan, who remained inside her apartment last night with her daughter, Jennifer Buchanan, 24, had said she wouldn t believe the body was Nevaeh s until she received DNA confirmation.
Ms. Lawson came out of the Buchanans apartment, where she had been looking at photographs of Nevaeh with the family.
The snapshots showed happier times in the Buchanans lives: last year s Halloween, when Nevaeh wore a princess costume; holidays under the Christmas tree with the child opening gifts, and
Nevaeh hugging a giant reindeer, one of her many stuffed toys.
We got a lot of pictures of her.
We are in there just looking at them, trying to be cheerful, Ms. Lawson said. I couldn t express how I feel right now. I can only say that deep inside, it is killing me.
Visitors continued to leave items at a memorial under a large tree outside the apartment.
Megan Brown of Detroit dropped off a stuffed elephant alongside the other stuffed toys, candles, balloons, and flowers.
The mother of a 1-year-old girl, she said she felt bad for the Buchanans. They have to hurt. I don t even know [Nevaeh], and it s hurting me, the woman said, adding that the elephant, named Lucky, was her daughter s favorite toy.
Ms. Lawson said the family will make funeral arrangements today with Merkle Funeral Home on North Monroe Street.
Christy Keely, 48, of Monroe went to the memorial and knelt near the tree wrapped with a yellow ribbon. To lose a child, I don t think I can do it, Ms. Keely said. She went to the apartment after Bible study.
The Rev. Dale Hanford, senior pastor of Monroe Crosswalk Community Church, prayed with family members last night for more than hour in the community room at the complex. They are very exhausted. They are very hurting right now. It has been a long 2 weeks. The tough time is yet to come in the next three to four days.
Mr. Hanford said the funeral is set for Saturday at Stewart Road Christian Ministries Center. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be tomorrow and Friday at the funeral home.
A Newport, Mich., man and his stepfather who were fishing on the bend of the river on Dixon Road in Raisinville Township found Nevaeh s body about noon last Thursday. She was buried in a shallow grave and covered with cement that began crumbling when the men walked on it.
Sheriff Tilman Crutchfield had said there was reasonable suspicion the body was the girl s because of the child s age and gender, as well as clothing similar to that worn by Nevaeh when she went missing.
Two people previously identified by police as persons of interest in the case were moved to a state prison in Jackson recently, where a parole revocation hearing will be held in the next 45 days, Michigan Department of Corrections spokesman John Cordell said. George Kennedy, 39, and Roy Lee Smith, 48, violated their parole on unrelated charges by associating with Nevaeh and her family, among other violations. Both are registered sex offenders.
The sheriff s office, which is leading a multijurisdictional task force investigating the case, has received nearly 1,100 tips and leads, and continues to receive and act on tips.
No arrests have been made. People with information are asked to call the tip line, 734-243-7070.
Contact Mark Reiter at:markreiter@theblade.comor 419-724-6199.
First Published June 10, 2009, 2:17 p.m.
