Avonte Oquendo Found: DNA Test Confirms Missing Body Parts Belong to Lost Teen
Several body parts that were discovered along the shore of the East River in Queens were confirmed to be that of missing teen Avonte Oquendo after the city's medical examiner conducted a DNA test.
The NYPD revealed that body parts that were found Thursday night in College Point were roughly 9 miles away from where the teen was last seen on Oct. 4.
Authorities said an arm was found by a resident Thursday night and more were discovered after police investigators arrived. Police stated that they also found a pair of Air Jordan sneakers and a pair of jeans fitting the description of what Avonte was wearing the day he disappeared.
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Avonte was last seen leaving his Long Island City school on October 4, near the East River, and was never seen again. After the teen was discovered to be missing teachers at the school immediately notified his parents, who then contacted authorities.
A massive manhunt began for the teen, who is non-verbal due to his autism. The search captivated the New York City and various groups throughout the state came together to try and find Avonte.
The MTA began issuing descriptions of the boy during passengers' trips, hoping that someone would remember something or possibly spot Avonte. Posters featuring his image and information blanketed New York City, and a $95,000 reward was issued for information leading to his return.
On January 5, the family put together a Facebook page with the heading "Official Help Find Avonte" to keep people informed of the search and pass along pertinent information.
Daniel Perecman, the family's attorney said the child was last seen on surveillance video in a park right along the water. But insists the family does not believe he would cross a shoreline barrier by himself.
"Which is why we thought early on it would have been highly unlikely for him to go over that fence," Percman told NBC.
