Mourners have buried a religious school student from New Jersey who disappeared while hiking on the outskirts of Jerusalem.
Friday's funeral in Israel came after authorities determined Aaron Sofer was not the victim of foul play or a militant attack. Israeli media speculated that he had fallen or died of dehydration.
The body of the 23-year-old from Lakewood was found on Thursday in the same area where Sofer disappeared after he got separated from a friend while hiking last week.
Sofer's parents flew to Israel to assist with the search in the days after he disappeared. A Lakewood committeeman says they're overwhelmed, but that finding his remains provided them closure.
Israeli police and investigators from the United States, along with the FBI, had been coordinating the effort to find Sofer, who had been studying at a rabbinical college in war-torn country for the last year. He leaves behind his parents, along with nine brothers and sisters.
Gov. Christie offered his condolences to the Sofer family after his body was found Thursday.
"As parents, Mary Pat and I cannot imagine the sense of grief and sadness that engulfs them at this moment," Christie said in a statement. "We add our thoughts and prayers to those of so many in New Jersey and around the world for this family and the community of Lakewood. Together, we can help them deal with this awful tragedy."
