Human remains found in Queens have been positively identified as Avonte Oquendo, the autistic boy who disappeared from his school in Long Island City in October.
A decomposed arm was found along the East River last Thursday by a teenaged girl, who took a photo and showed her mother. Police divers later found a torso, legs, skull and teeth, as well as shoes, jeans and a shirt.
Avonte's disappearance on October 4 spurred a massive city-wide search after the 14-year-old was seen running out of his school on surveillance video. Avonte was non-communicative, but his family and the numerous volunteers who helped search for him never gave up hope the teen would be found alive.
Family lawyer Daniel Perecman, who said Avonte was last spotted in surveillance video in a park near the East River, said Avonte was afraid of water and would never voluntarily cross the barrier on the shore.
[PIX 11] [NBC New York]
