Recovery Efforts Confirm Body Found in River Likely Belongs to Missing Child

Weilburg - Authorities have announced the recovery of a child's body from the Lahn River, which is believed to be that of six-year-old Pawlos, who had been missing since March 25, 2025. The tragic discovery occurred on Easter Sunday evening, igniting a wave of grief throughout the community.

Pawlos, an autistic child with dark curls, disappeared from his special needs school in Weilburg. His disappearance prompted an extensive search operation, involving up to 600 emergency responders scouring a three-kilometer radius around the small town. Despite their relentless efforts, which included the deployment of specialized military aircraft, the search initially yielded no results.

The situation changed when a canoeist alerted the police after spotting the body near an overpass of the B456. Emergency services, including firefighters and medical personnel, rapidly arrived at the scene, where a doctor pronounced the child deceased.

Although an official identification has yet to be confirmed, the news has deeply affected the local community and state officials. The Prime Minister of Hesse expressed his sorrow over the incident, extending condolences to Pawlos' family and thanking the countless individuals who participated in the search efforts.

In the coming days, police have indicated that further investigations will be conducted to determine the circumstances surrounding the child's death. The community continues to mourn the loss of a young life that was filled with promise and potential, as many residents reflect on the collective effort to locate him.