Pickup Taken From Home Of Dead N.H. Girl

Investigators probing the death of an 11-year-old northern New Hampshire girl hauled away a silver pickup truck from outside her home Wednesday.

Neighbors said the vehicle is typically driven by the girl's stepfather. While the pickup was on a flatbed outside the house, technicians could be seen examining its undercarriage.

Investigators said Wednesday that they didn't expect to make any announcements on the progress of their investigation into the death of Celina Cass, whose body was found Monday in the Connecticut River, almost a week after she disappeared.

New Hampshire Senior Assistant Attorney General Jane Young wouldn't comment Wednesday on the investigation.

On Tuesday, Young said an autopsy failed to determine how the girl died. She said further toxicology tests and more investigation were needed, but that the death was considered suspicious.

"She could have slipped off and fell, banged her head, we don't know," said Adam Laro, Celina's biological father. "But they claim that they've found it looks like her body was placed in the water, and that's the scary part about it, you know?"

Meanwhile, Jeanine Brady, a family friend and the employer of Celina's mother, said the girl's body had been turned over to the family and that a private service was being planned. Brady wouldn't say where or when the service would be held. Public memorial services could be held at a later date.

Divers found Celina's body Monday near a hydroelectric dam that spans the Connecticut River between Celina's hometown, Stewartstown, and Canaan, Vt., ending an intense search that at its peak involved more than 100 federal, state and local law enforcement officers.

Celina, who lived with her older sister, mother and stepfather a mile from Canada, was last seen at her home computer around 9 p.m. on July 25 and was gone the next morning, authorities said. Police said there was no sign of a struggle and there was no indication she ran away or someone took her.

With additional reporting from WCVB-TV

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