Remains found in the search for 18-year-old Anjelica "AJ" Hadsell were positively identified on Friday.
The medical examiner confirmed that the remains found on Thursday were Hadsell's, who went missing from her parents' neighbourhood in Norfolk on March 2.
"The department's efforts are now focused on bringing closure to the Hadsell family, as the investigation into AJ's death continues," Norfolk Police Department spokeswoman Melinda Wray said in a statement.
Norfolk Police Chief Michael Goldsmith also expressed his sympathies, and thanked the local, state, and federal agencies that assisted in the search.
Police said the remains were found near an abandoned house on the 34000 block of Smith's Ferry Road in Southampton County, near the Virginia-North Carolina border.
Police did not initially suspect foul play in the Longwood University freshman's disappearance, although her family insisted it was outside of the teen's character to disappear.
Hadsell's stepfather, Wesley, was arrested on March 21 on four charges of obstructing justice, one charge of possessing ammunition after a felony, and one charge of breaking and entering. He claimed that he broke into someone's home because he suspected they were involved in his stepdaughter's disappearance.
While Wesley, 36, maintained his innocence, his sister, Wendy Stokes, said seeds of doubt were growing in her mind.
"I'm not a judge. I'm not a jury. I'm not saying he's guilty. I'm not saying he's innocent, but it's really hard to have faith in someone when he can't be honest," she told NewsChannel 3 on Thursday.
Before the remains were positively identified, the family expressed a desire for closure and prayer.
"We're just praying that all of this is resolved swiftly, and we're just trying towork together as a family," said Timothy Moran, a family friend, minister, and family spokesperson
"We call for prayer," he continued. "That's what we need most."
