HILLSBOROUGH -- The female body recovered from the Hudson River near the George Washington Bridge on Wednesday was College of New Jersey senior and tennis captain Paige Aiello, Hillsborough police confirmed today.

Aiello, 22, had been missing since April 9 when she left her family's Hillsborough home. Her purse was found that night on the upper level of the George Washington Bridge and a month-long search ensued.

Her body was discovered Wednesday afternoon near the 158th Street shoreline of Manhattan, about one mile south of the bridge. The body was confirmed to be Aiello's this morning by New York City's Medical Examiner, Hillsborough police reported.

Paige Aiello's sister Erin said Hillsborough police notified the family at their home today, leaving around 1 p.m.

Update: Paige Aiello's family recalls 'cherished' TCNJ tennis captain as 'glue that kept everyone together'

Aiello would have graduated from TCNJ in Ewing next week.

"This is devastating news for our campus community, its magnitude compounded as we reach the end of the academic year," TCNJ president R. Barbara Gitenstein said in a statement.

"She was a really sharp, bright young lady," Vice President for College Advancement John Donohue said today.

College officials are planning to honor Aiello during graduation ceremonies. Aiello completed all her required coursework and will be considered as a TCNJ graduate, Donohue said.

"She earned her degree," he said.

A statement was being sent out to the campus community informing them of the news.

"It's been a rough couple of weeks, needless to say, here," Donohue said.

Aiello had been under severe stress leading up to her disappearance, her family has said. Concerns about her well-being led her to resume living at home in Somerset County rather than at an on-campus apartment as she entered the final weeks of the semester.

Erin Aiello had said her sister was a "driven kid" who had been accepted into Rutgers law school and was planning on attending this fall.

Searches by both the Aiello family and Hillsborough police at the home did not turn up any note or communication from Paige Aiello, Erin Aiello said. Authorities have said they found no immediate signs of foul play in her disappearance.

The body of a woman was recovered Wednesday from the Hudson River floating near the rocks at 158th Street in Manhattan, which is roughly one mile south of the George Washington Bridge.

Aiello was last seen by her family after her father drove her home from classes on the afternoon of April 9. She then took her mother's car without permission and parked it at a New Brunswick garage, where it was later found.

Based on video surveillance, investigators determined Aiello took at train to New York's Penn Station and was last seen walking in the direction of the George Washington Bridge, where he purse, wallet and mobile phone were found.

A "Find Paige Aiello" Facebook page dedicated to the search generated thousands of followers. Today, the family posted a message confirming the news.

"It is with a heavy heart that we report to you that the body recovered yesterday is that of Paige. We want to thank each and every one of you for never giving up hope and continuing to help try and find Paige. At this time, we ask for your continued prayers and support for Paige's family, friends and community during this most difficult time.

Thank you."

The circumstances that led to her being found in the Hudson River a month later remain under investigation.

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