Aiden Blanchard, 11, Was Likely Alone When He Went Missing By CT River

In an update on the search for a missing 11-year-old boy, police said that, so far, the evidence points to Aiden having been alone near the Connecticut River when he disappeared.

Conditions on the Connecticut River as police search for a missing boy
Photo Credit: *MSP*

Kristin Palpini

02/10/2021 9:26 a.m.

Aiden Blanchard, 11, went missing on Feb. 5 around 11:30 a.m. Aiden was last seen in the Willamansett area of Chicopee, near Old Field Road, and heading toward the Medina Street boat launch along the Connecticut River, police said.

On Tuesday, Feb. 9, Chicopee and State police said they do not suspect foul play was involved in Aiden’s disappearance.

“All evidence known thus far suggests Aiden was alone and near the river when he went missing,” Massachusetts State Police said in a statement. “Based on the information currently known to detectives, no foul play is suspected at this time. All leads continue to be investigated.”

Massachusetts State Troopers and Chicopee Police are continuing to search the Connecticut River for Aiden but said the weather has been making the process difficult.

Photos shared by the state police showed places where the river is swimming with icy slush as well as low visibility due to recent, persistent snowstorms.

Police are seeking the public’s help in finding Aiden who is 5’ tall, 100 lbs., with brown hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a red ski jacket and black ski pants.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has created a missing person poster for Aiden.

Anyone who has information that may help locate Aiden, or who believes they may have seen him, should immediately call 911, Chicopee Police at (413) 594-1639, or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST.

People using outdoor video surveillance cameras in the Willamanestt area of Chicopee are being asked to review their video taken on Feb. 5 around 11 a.m. to noon for signs of Aiden.

“Local and State Police previously searched the Connecticut and Chicopee Rivers using divers, boats, drones, and the State Police Air Wing. The area was searched based on information that Aiden was last known to be in the area of the boat ramp,” police said. “The operation is focused on locating Aiden, or any evidence showing his direction of travel or whereabouts.”

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