6-year-old Massachusetts boy found deceased remembered for bringing joy through his love of animals

A missing Massachusetts boy that was found deceased earlier this week is being remembered.

According to police, on Sunday, just before 9:15 p.m., the Westford Police Department responded to a residence on Chestnut Road in the Nabnasset section of town for the report of a missing six-year-old. The six-year-old was identified as Zayan Mayanja, a non-verbal Autistic child, who had escaped his residence through a window. All available Westford Police officers immediately undertook a search for the child on surrounding streets, nearby parks, and neighborhoods. The Westford Police K-9 Unit along with neighboring K-9 Units quickly responded to the area to assist in the search. Along with Police K-9 teams, law enforcement utilized various search techniques including drones, deploying a boat in Nabnasset Lake, distributing a RAVE (reverse 911 alert) to the area residents, and the Massachusetts State Police Air Wing to locate Zayan. The Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC) provided additional K9 Units, drones, and communications personnel to the scene to assist with the search.

At approximately 12:08 a.m., on Monday, Zayan was located in the water of Nabnasset Lake behind a residence on Lake Shore Drive South by a NEMLEC K9 Unit and a Westford Police Officer. Life saving measures, including CPR, were immediately rendered by the initial officers who located Zayan, and soon thereafter by the Westford Fire Department. Westford Fire Department transported Zayan to Lowell General Hospital. While at Lowell General Hospital Zayan was pronounced deceased.

Zayan was a member of the Westford Public Schools.

In a GoFundMe fundraiser, Zayan was described as a wonderful son who brought joy through his love for reading and animals.

The investigation remains on going and is being conducted by the Westford Police Department Special Services Division along with Massachusetts State Police Troopers assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office.