Missing woman found dead in Forge Pond in Westford

WESTFORD — A 73-year-old woman who had been reported missing was found dead Friday afternoon in Forge Pond near the Groton town line, police said.

Margaret Hammersley was located deceased at approximately 1:05 p.m. by a member of the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC) Search Team, according to the Westford Police Department.

The investigation remains ongoing and is being conducted by the Westford Police Department Special Services Division along with Massachusetts State Police Troopers assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office.

Hammersley, who was from Nashua, New Hampshire, was reported missing Thursday morning in her hometown.

Her vehicle was found unoccupied Thursday evening in a parking lot along Pleasant Street in Westford’s Forge Village area.

The search for Hammersley had been suspended late Thursday night and resumed Friday morning with a large police and first responder presence in the area.

The Westford Police Department expressed its “deepest condolences to the family and friends of Margaret Hammersley” and requested that the public and media respect the family’s privacy.