Family of missing Harvard man thanks community

HARVARD, Mass. — The father of a young Harvard man whose body was recovered from the Charles River Tuesday night expressed his gratitude for bringing Zach Marr home and the support his family has received.

Zach Marr disappeared on Feb. 13 in record-cold temperatures after celebrating his birthday with his cousins at the Bell in Hand tavern in Boston.

On Tuesday, two people on a sidewalk near the Charles River reported discovering a body in the water. The Suffolk County District Attorney's Officer later confirmed the body was that of Marr.

DA spokesman Jake Wark said Wednesday the preliminary cause of death appears to be falling into the icy cold water.

"A missing child is every parent's worst nightmare," Marr's father, Matthew Marr, said at a news conference Wednesday. "Although it is not the outcome we were praying for, we are grateful that Zach is coming home."

Friends and family had spent weeks posting fliers and searching for Marr. Surveillance photos from nearby businesses showed Marr in the Leverett Circle area shortly after leaving the bar for a smoke break. Then, Boston police announced video showed Marr going near the Charles River.

The elder Marr thanked Boston, Quincy, Harvard and state and transit police departments, as well as dive teams, cadaver dog teams, the Coast Guard and local businesses that provided surveillance video.

"We'd like to thank the various law enforcement agencies for their brave efforts, who worked so diligently for the last four and a half weeks to find Zach and bring him home," Matthew Marr said.

He also thanked the community for providing "food and drink, but also... tremendous acts of love kindness and compassion through these extremely difficult weeks."

Marr urged the public to discuss "the effects of hypothermia" and parents to appreciate every day with their kids.

"I believe we should teach our children and ourselves to enjoy life and live it to the fullest every day with love and humor, because you never know how quickly it can change," Matthew Marr said.

Cox Media Group