Police hope for closure after human remains found
Police in Virginia cancelled today's scheduled search party for Hannah Graham, one day after the discovery of a body near Charlottesville. There's still no official confirmation, but the family's already been told what police expect.
Police on Sunday blocked off the road next to the property where the remains were found. They continued to scour the area for any additional evidence.
Saturday, after 35 days of searching, police called 18-year-old Hannah Graham's parents with the news that they'd discovered a body near an abandoned property outside Charlottesville.
"Again these are human remains and forensic tests need to be conducted to determine the identification of those remains," Charlottesville Police Chief Timothy Longo said at a press conference. "But nonetheless we wanted to be quick and timely to share that information with the family."
Even as they asked for patience with the limited information they could provide, they did change the case from "missing person" to a "death investigation."
Sgt. Dale Terry and his team found the remains in a dry creek bed, along with a pair of tight dark pants -- pants like the kind Hannah was wearing when she disappeared.
"We were here for a mission, and that mission was to bring closure," he said. "We're hoping that's what we've done."
Graham went missing early in the morning on September 13th after a night out with friends, putting students and families in the college town on alert.
"We're asking every person within the sound of my voice to help us find Hannah Graham," said Longo at a September press conference.
Police charged 32-year old Jesse Matthew with abduction and intent to defile or sexually assault Hannah Graham. He's in custody after being arrested in Galveston, Texas last month.
Police say forensic evidence links Mathew to another missing college student who disappeared in 2009 and was found dead a few months later, close to where the remains this weekend were discovered. An autopsy is under way and police say more details will emerge in the coming days.