Westerly ― The body of a missing 15-year-old from New London was found Sunday evening, Westerly police said.

Westerly Police Chief Paul Gingerella said a large group of the missing boy’s family and friends were searching for him and saw his body in the water by the rocks off Wawaloam Drive. Police then responded after receiving a phone call at about 5:50 p.m. Sunday.

“Our hearts are just completely broken,” said New London Superintendent of Schools Cynthia Ritchie.

Lifeguards had also been searching and police were also searching on a boat on Sunday, Gingerella said.

Gingerella said the teenager is presumed to have drowned, though the medical examiner will determine the official cause of death. The boy’s name has not yet been released.

He was last seen swimming near a jetty Thursday evening at Dunes Park Beach.

Ritchie informed the school community on Saturday that the missing swimmer has been confirmed to be a New London Public Schools student. She said her thoughts and prayers were with the family, search team and community.

She encouraged school community members to reach out if they need support.

“Tragic news such as this will raise many emotions and concerns, especially for our staff and students,” wrote Ritchie, who listed the contact numbers of staff for people to reach out to if they need help.

She said the school district has Crisis Intervention Teams available. She said counselors are available for any students or staff members who need support.

Administrators, counselors, and Crisis Teams are available to counsel students, starting at 8 a.m. Monday at the Science and Technology building, she said.

k.drelich@theday.com