The search for Avonte Oquendo, an autistic and mute teen who went missing in New York City more than three months ago, came to a sad end Tuesday when a medical examiner announced that body parts found along the shore of the East River last week belong to the 14-year-old. Here’s NBC New York with the grisly details:
The body parts were found Thursday night in College Point, just southwest of the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge, about 9 miles by waterway from where Avonte was last seen on Oct. 4. …
Authorities said a human arm was found by a resident Thursday night, and then more body parts by officers who responded. Searchers also located a pair of size 5 1/2 Air Jordan sneakers and a pair of jeans matching what Avonte was wearing the day he disappeared.
While DNA matched the remains to Oquendo, authorities say they’re still investigating what led to the teen’s death. He was reported missing by his mother, Vanessa Fontaine, early last October, sparking a city-wide search. He had been last seen leaving Riverview School in Long Island City unsupervised. His family has made clear to the city that they plan to sue.
