The body of missing 15-year-old Lawrence was found Thursday night in a cemetery near 7 Mile and Lasher.
Authorities confirmed his identity, the discovery came just hours after Detroit police held a search party that morning. Police say a person visiting the cemetery called 911 after finding the body.
Lawrence had last been seen around 11 p.m. on August 12 after leaving with friends. His family says he told them he was going to the store but never returned.
“It’s been too long,” his aunt told MDN earlier Thursday. “There’s no way possible he’s somewhere where he can walk, crawl, talk. They know something. Ain’t called, ain’t nothing. My baby, me and my sister, we know too many people. If somebody seen my nephew walking at anybody’s house, in a store, I know these people will call us, message us, anything. I know this for a fact. So I feel like my baby is hurt somewhere.”
Relatives say his aunt last saw him around 7 p.m. that night, and his mother saw him later before he left with friends. Family members say a friend said he dropped Lawrence and another boy off in the area of 8 Mile and Southfield Road at a park, but Lawrence never made it to his grandmother’s, aunt’s, or mother’s home—all of which are nearby.
The cause of death remains under investigation, but sources say the teen suffered trauma to the face. A ski mask and gloves were also found on the body.
Anyone with information is urged to call Detroit police at 313-596-5840 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.
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