The family attorney for Avonte Oquendo discussed the grim possibilities surrounding the discovery of decomposed remains that are being examined to see if they belonged to the missing autistic teenager.
"It's not Avonte until the DNA evidence comes in and says it is,” said David Perecman, the attorney, on Saturday. “On the other hand, it's not looking great."
Perecman said that while the body was found in clothes and sneakers similar to the ones Avonte was wearing the day he disappeared, there is still no definitive link.
"The odd thing is he's wearing a pair of Fruit of the Loom large underwear, which makes no sense,” said Perecman.
The underwear does not match the brand or size that Avonte was wearing
The body was discovered about 9 miles away from Avonte's Long Island City school, where he was last seen running out of the building.
The remains have been taken to the medical examiner for DNA testing. Avonte's mother has turned over the teen's toothbrush and a copy of his baby footprint so investigators could see whether the DNA matches that of the remains.
"Maybe it's possible it'll be some sort of closure,” said Perecman. “The department says by Wednesday the DNA will have been evaluated and we will know."
The NYPD is still searching the section of College Point where the remains were found on Thursday night.
