Remains may be those of missing student

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia — Police searchers found human remains on Saturday that could be those of a University of Virginia sophomore who has been missing since Sept. 13.

Further forensic tests are needed to confirm whether the remains are those of Hannah Graham, but Graham’s parents were notified of the preliminary findings, Charlottesville Police Chief Timothy Longo told a news conference.

The Albemarle County Police Department also said a volunteer search for Graham that had been planned for Sunday has been canceled so law enforcement can turn their attention to the new evidence.

Longo said a search team from the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office found the remains on an abandoned property in southern Albemarle County — the same region where police found the body of 20-year-old Virginia Tech student Morgan Harrington three months after she vanished in 2009.

Last month, after arresting a suspect in Graham’s disappearance, police said they found a “forensic link” between the two cases.

Thousands of volunteers had searched for the 18-yearold Graham in the weeks since her disappearance.

“Countless hours, thousands of hours, have been spent by literally hundreds of law enforcement, civilian volunteers in an effort to find Hannah,” Longo said.

“We think perhaps today proved their worth.”

Jesse Leroy Matthew Jr., 32, has been charged with abduction with intent to defile Graham.

A preliminary hearing is set for Dec. 4 on the charge. In the meantime, Matthew is being held in the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail.

Albermarle County Police are now taking over the investigation.

County Police Chief Steve Sellers said anyone who may have seen suspicious activity in the area or may have seen someone who fits Matthew’s description in the area after Graham’s disappearance, should contact police.

“Today’s discovery is a significant development and we have a great deal of work ahead of us,” Sellers said. (AP)