Paige Aiello Update: Body found under George Washington Bridge is that of missing N.J. college student
(CBS/AP) NEW YORK - The decomposed body of a woman found under the George Washington Bridge is that of Paige Aiello, a missing New Jersey college student, police confirmed to CBS New York.
The body was found by the NYPD on Wednesday near 158th Street in New York City as police were searching for a possible jumper in the Hudson River.
Aiello was last seen at her family's home in Hillsborough, N.J. on April 9. The 22-year-old College of New Jersey senior apparently took her mother's car without permission.
The car was found the next day in New Brunswick, N.J. parked near a train station. Authorities said Aiello took a train into Penn Station, CBS New York reports. A passerby reported finding Aiello's purse, cellphone and car keys on the south walkway of the George Washington Bridge.
Christopher Aiello, Paige's father, previously told CBS New York that his daughter was feeling under a great deal of stress and was living at home for added support. He said his daughter is co-captain of the school tennis team and also worked several jobs, had done "incredibly well" in high school and college. She was also accepted to nine law schools.
"She had hit almost like a wall where she felt she was not maybe either worthy of all this or she just couldn't handle it," he said.
A message was posted Thursday on the "Find Paige Aiello" Facebook page thanking people for their support.
"It is with a heavy heart that we report to you that the body recovered yesterday is that of Paige. We want to thank each and every one of you for never gaving [sic] up hope and continuing to help try and find Paige," the message read. "At this time, we ask for your continued prayers and support for Paige's family, friends and community during this most difficult time."