Body of missing 11-year-old girl found behind her apartment just hours after she was reported missing, being investigated as homicide

Investigators recovered the body of a Keansburg, New Jersey, girl behind her apartment building just hours after she was reported missing, according to NJ.com.

Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced Thursday afternoon that the body of Abbiegail “Abbie” Smith was found behind the Hancock Arms Apartments, where Smith lived with her mother. The 11-year-old was last seen in the apartment at 7:45 p.m. on Wednesday night. Her mother reported her missing about an hour later, according to the Asbury Park Press.

“We unfortunately uncovered her remains at about 10:45 am this morning right in the backyard of the apartment complex where she lived,” Gramiccioni told the Middletown Patch. “Unfortunately, when they [rescue team] started to dig and canvas this area, they found her remains.”

The little girl’s body was found in what police are describing as a large container, officials told WABC.

With a heavy heart Abbiegail "Abbie" Smith was found deceased this morning following an extensive search. The…

Posted by Keansburg Police Department on Thursday, July 13, 2017

At a news conference held in front of the Keansburg apartment complex, Gramiccioni said Smith’s death is being investigated as a homicide. However, the prosecutor also noted that police do not believe an immediate family member was involved in the tween’s abduction and murder, according to NJ.com.

“We have no reason to believe you or your families have any reason to be concerned about your children, your well-being,” the prosecutor said. “If that changes, we’re going to put it out to you…At this point in time, it appears to be an isolated crime we’re investigating.”

Authorities have not revealed the nature of Smith’s injuries or the cause of death. The 11-year-old’s body was sent to the medical examiner on Thursday afternoon. An autopsy is scheduled for Friday morning.

This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information about the case is urged to call the Keansburg Police Department at 732-787-0600.

[Featured Image: Keansburg Police Department]