Kayaker Discovers Body of 6-Year-Old Boy Whose Mother Died Attempting to Save Him on Fishing Trip

The body of a 6-year-old Massachusetts boy whose mother died last week while attempting to save him from drowning on a fishing trip was discovered by a kayaker on Sunday morning.

According to the Newburyport Fire Department, a kayaker came across “what is believed to be the body of 6-year-old Mas DeChhat” in the Merrimack River near Newburyport. Officials said the body will be turned over to State’s Chief Medical Examiner’s office for confirmation.

Police had been searching for DeChhat since Thursday, when the boy went missing after he entered the water during his family’s recreational fishing trip. Mas’ mother, Boua DeChhat, died after entering the river to retrieve her seven-year-old daughter. The girl survived, but Boua lost her life while attempting to save Mas.

“Police and Fire Marine Units, State Police and Boston Fire dive teams and Harbormasters searched the river aggressively over the past four days,” the Newburyport Fire Department said in a press release. “The joint search teams and first responders together send their deepest sympathies and condolences to the DeChhat family.”

Massachusetts State Police took to Twitter on Sunday to confirm the news of Mas’ death, while sending their condolences to the DeChhat family.

“Our prayers are with him, his mother Boua DeChhat who died trying to save him, and the loved ones they left behind,” they wrote.