The family of the main suspect in the disappearance of Hannah Graham say they are praying for her family.

Police confirmed on Friday that remains found at an abandoned farm in a creek in Albemarle County on October 18 were those of the missing University of Virginia student.

Jesse Matthew Jr, 32, was the last person seen with Graham before she disappeared after a night out with friends in Charlottesville on September 13.

He has been charged with abduction with intent to defile in connection with Graham's disappearance, and is being held without bond in Albemarle Jail.

According to WUSA 9, his lawyer James Camblos issued a statement on behalf of his family.

"On behalf of the Carr family and speaking for myself as well, our thoughts and prayers go out to the Graham family in their time of bereavement," the statement says.

"The Carrs asked me to convey that they will continue to pray for the Grahams and the Harringtons throughout this ordeal."

Hannah's parents, John and Sue Graham, thanked police chief Timothy J Longo for finding their daughter in a statement via the University of Virginia and asked people to pray for those with loved ones who are still missing.

"When we first met Chief [Timothy J] Longo he promised to find our precious daughter, Hannah, and during five long weeks his resolve to fulfill that promise never wavered," they said.

"When we started this journey together we all hoped for a happier ending. Sadly that was not to be, but due to the tenacity and determination of Chief Longo, Hannah is coming home to us and we will be eternally grateful to him for this.

"The search for Hannah would not have been successful were it not for the many, many people who helped. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

"We are devastated by the loss of our beautiful daughter, Hannah. Over recent weeks Hannah has been described by those who know her as bright, witty, thoughtful, loyal and fun to be around. She was all those things and more.

"Put simply, Hannah lit up our lives, the lives of our family and the lives of her friends and others who knew her. Although we have lost our precious Hannah, the light she radiated can never be extinguished."

They added: "In closing we would like to draw attention to the fact that, although the waiting has ended for us, there are other families both in Virginia and beyond who have not been as fortunate in that their loved ones are still missing. Please continue to hold these families in your thoughts and prayers."

The BBC reports that authorities have ascertained a "forensic link" between Mr Matthew and missing Virginia Tech student Morgan Harrington, whose body was found in Albemarle County three months after disappearing from Charlottesville in October 2009.