EAST HARTFORD, Conn. —
Police confirmed on Friday afternoon that the body of the missing South Winsdor mom Jessica Edwards was found. She was last seen about a week ago.
Police said that officers found a body at the entrance to the Hockanum River Linear off of Chipper Drive in East Hartford early Friday morning. The body was soon identified as Edwards.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is working to determine the cause of death.
State Police Major Crimes, along with investigators with South Windsor and East Hartford police, were at the area investigating throughout the day.
During a press conference, South Windsor police said technological search warrants and data obtained by officers helped bring them to the park to search.
"We at the South Windsor Police Department would like to offer our deepest condolences to Jessica’s family as they deal with this devastating news," said police.
Friends have established a GoFundMe page for the Edwards family. You can donate here.
South Windsor police said the investigation is ongoing and expect to have an update "in the near future."
Police added additional details were not immediately available.
Manchester police also confirmed they are working with South Windsor police in an investigation connected with Edwards' disappearance.
Police later arrested Edwards' husband Tahj Hutchinson in Manchester in connection with her death. He was charged with first-degree manslaughter and being held on a $1 million bond.
Police added that more charges will follow at the end of the investigation and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner's autopsy. The autopsy started at 9:30 Saturday morning. Police say that they won't know the cause of her death until they receive the full report in a week or two, after the autopsy is completed.
Earlier Friday, the family of 30-year-old Edwards arrived at the scene in East Hartford. Police have not confirmed if Edwards, who has been missing since the day after Mother's Day, was found.
Edwards was last seen by her family on Mother's Day while police said her husband said she left with someone he didn't know the next morning. Police said her car was still in the parking lot of their home.
Her family and friends launched a massive, multi-city search after Edwards disappeared. They searched every day from sun up to sundown in bushes, in the woods, and wherever they could from East Hartford to Manchester and South Windsor.
"At this point, I know—I feel she wouldn't be safe because she wouldn't be gone for this long," Jessica’s younger sister, Yanique Edwards, told FOX61 News on Thursday.
"Sometimes you feel defeated because you don't know where else to look," Kendra Getfield, Jessica’s cousin, said. "She could be anywhere."
Edwards' family has not spoken publically yet about the news of her death.
This is developing. Check back for updates.
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