Heartbreaking update in frantic search for missing Serenity Kinsey, 7, in Tennessee

The body of a missing autistic girl has been found in a Tennessee lake just minutes after a statewide search was launched.

Serenity Alanna Marie Kinsey, 7, was found by a dive team in Douglas Lake near Dandridge just after 11am on Thursday.

She was reported missing by her family at around 5am after they realized she left their home on Indian Creek Road in the middle of the night.

An Amber Alert was issued by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation but her body was recovered from the nearby lake around an hour later.

The body of missing autistic girl Serenity Alanna Marie Kinsey has been found in a Tennessee lake just minutes after a statewide search was launched

‘We have a heartbreaking update on the search for Serenity Kinsey,’ the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said.

‘A dive team located her body in a lake near her home a short time ago. Our hearts go out to her family during this difficult time.’

Serenity was last seen at her home at around 1am wearing black shorts and a blue t-shirt.

The seven-year-old was found by a dive team in Douglas Lake near Dandridge just after 11am on Thursday

She was reported missing by her family at around 5am after they realized she left their home on Indian Creek Road in the middle of the night

The young girl was described as autistic and nonverbal as authorities launched the Amber Alert.

But the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation issued an update around an hour later to say her body was discovered.

Kinsey reportedly liked water and lived close to the lake. No more information has been released by authorities.

DailyMail.com has contacted the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for comment.