Barway Collins case now a murder investigation

The case of 10-year-old Barway Collins is now a murder investigation. Sunday afternoon, the Hennepin County medical examiner confirmed the Crystal, Minn. boy who had been missing for 24 days was recovered from the Mississippi River in Minneapolis during a volunteer search Saturday.

Crystal Police Chief Stephanie Revering had already named Barway's father, Pierre Collins, a suspect in the boy's disappearance. Pierre remains the primary suspect in what is now a murder investigation.

"We have electronic evidence that Barway's father, Pierre, was in the vicinity of where his body was found at the time of his disappearance," Revering said.

Barway's body was found about 10 feet from shore, at North Mississippi Regional Park, near 53rd Avenue N. and Lyndale Avenue N. A member of the volunteer search party told Fox 9 the body was first spotted by a group of Boy Scouts who had been canvassing the river's edge since 11 a.m. Saturday.

The manner and cause of death are still under investigation.

Why hasn't Pierre Collins been arrested?
UPDATE: Pierre Collins arrested Monday afternoon

"Investigations have steps that need to be taken," Revering said. "We are taking those steps and will act when we have all the evidence we believe is necessary."

VIDEO - Fox 9 interview with Pierre Collins

In the meantime, police have taken away Pierre's passport.

Police guarding apartment complex

Crystal police have been at the Cedarwood Apartments in Crystal since 5 p.m. Saturday evening. We are told the police presence is actually in place to protect Pierre Collins.

The day Barway went missing

Barway Collins had been missing since the afternoon of March 18. The police investigation has focused on what happened after Barway left a school van in front of the Cedarwood Apartments. In video footage, Barway looks out the window and is heard referring to his father, Pierre Collins, and a man he calls "uncle."

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News shared at school

"When children hear of the death of someone they know, they may begin thinking about themselves and their own family and how the possibility of death could affect them," Evergreen Park Principal Sheryl Ray wrote in a letter to parents. "Your child may want to talk about this with you. Encouraging children to express their feelings and concerns helps them understand and deal with difficult situations. Included on the back of this letter, are tips for talking with children about death. This may help with discussions you may have at home."