The remains of a body found in Queens last week have been confirmed as Avonte Oquendo, the autistic New York City teen who has been missing since October.
According to a report by NY1, the city's medical examiner confirmed the DNA from the remains did, in fact, match the 14-year-old's.
Family attorney David Perecman told NY1 that Avonte's mother kept up hope until she received official word that her son had died.
"She finally just broke down," Perecman said. "This is the first time, expect for brief moments, where I saw Vanessa just crying and crying."
Avonte's remains, including an arm, leg and underwear were found last Thursday night in the East River.
Avonte Oquendo's disappearance led to one of the biggest search efforts in New York City recent past - posters and fliers were posted around the city, while subway loudspeakers made announcements and his mother made multiple television and radio appearances to spread awareness.
The family initially had intentions to sue the Department of Education, according to Perecman, after seeing surveillance tapes that showed the child, who had severe autism, running right out the door of the schoolhouse.
"There were so many things that went wrong," Perecman told NY1. "It befuddles the mind."
The Department of Education's special Investigator Carmen Farina stated that the case left her and so many others "heartbroken."
"I am determined that we learn every lesson we can from this terrible tragedy," she wrote in her statement.
