Family Reports Body of Paige Aiello Found

The family of Paige Aiello has confirmed that a body discovered Wednesday in the Hudson River is the missing Hillsborough woman, according to the Find Paige Aiello Facebook page.

"We want to thank each and every one of you for never giving up hope and continuing to help try and find Paige," the family posted shortly after 1 p.m. Thursday.

"At this time, we ask for your continued prayers and support for Paige's family, friends and community during this most difficult time." 

Aiello, a senior at The College of New Jersey, was last seen April 9 by her family.

The New York Medical Examiner's Office used dental records Thursday to identify Aiello during an autopsy attended by the Hillsborough police and the State Police Missing Persons Unit, according to a release from Somerset County Prosecutor Geoffrey D. Soriano.

The Port Authority reported discovering a female body in the river Wednesday while searching for another person missing who was last seen on the George Washington Bridge. 

Aiello's father reported her missing the evening of April 9, after being notified that her purse and personal items were found on the south walkway of the upper level of the George Washington Bridge. The next day, authorities discovered Aiello's Audi in the Gateway parking garage on Somerset Street in New Brunswick.

The discoveries prompted New York investigators to conduct a search of the bridge and the Hudson River area with assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard, New York Police Department Patrol and Aviation Units.

With few clues other than the Audi and purse, family and friends had been searching for the past several weeks with the help of social media. The Find Paige Aiello Facebook page attracted 8,620 "likes," and 824 people followed the @FindPaigeAiello Twitter feed.

Aiello was a senior at the College Of New Jersey and had been accepted to nine law schools. She also was a standout on the school's tennis team, making the All-NJAC first team in singles and doubles.