Body Of Paige Aiello Found, Identified

The body of Paige Aiello, missing since April, has been identified after being discovered yesterday near the George Washington Bridge.

Paige Aiello disappeared on April 9, and a passerby noticed her personal effects at the side of the bridge, including a cell phone, her purse, and car keys.

Aiello, a college senior, had been accepted to nine law schools, and her father Christopher believed his daughter may have cracked under the pressure.

But while Aiello had long thought it likely Paige had taken her own life, the rescue of three women in Cleveland Monday gave him a brief glimmer of hope, he said:

“Someone could have kidnapped her and put her bag on the bridge … I kept thinking that someone had her and the horrors that could be happening to her.”

Wednesday at around 1:15 PM, Paige Aiello’s body washed up on the shore near E. 158th St. in Washington Heights. While the search for Paige concluded tragically, Christopher Aiello said the funeral for his daughter would not be held for a week due to the scheduled graduation ceremonies of her classmates:

“We don’t want to do anything to upset these young people … They should be enjoying themselves and reveling in their graduation.”

A message posted to the Find Paige Aiello Facebook page updated followers this morning that a positive identification had been made, saying:

“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 gaving 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.”

A city medical examiner said Paige Aiello’s cause of death was drowning, and the manner of her death was suicide, adding that the case is closed.