Missing Nursing Student Michelle Le: Decomposed Remains Found in Niles Canyon

Authorities say the badly decomposed remains found in a Bay Area canyon section of Alameda County, Calif., are those of Michelle Le, the missing nursing student who disappeared May 27 while taking a school break.

Hayward police said tests by the Alameda County coroner on the remains confirmed they were Le. Police declined to release any further information, but did say the cause of manner of death is still undetermined, CBS News reported.

On Saturday, searchers discovered the remains off a dirt trail in a rugged Alameda County canyon. According to police, cell phone signals from Le and a former high school friend they suspect in her death and been received from the area.

Arrest in Connection With Le Case

The former friend, Giselle Esteban, knew Le while high school students in San Diego. Earlier this month, Esteban was arrested and charged with murder. She has no yet entered a plea.

Le's family Monday thanked Hayward police and others who helped with the nearly four-month-long search.

Tonight, our family has been notified that this weekend, we have found Michelle, said Krystine Dinh, the Le family spokeswoman. Please continue praying for and supporting Michelle as our family begins the journey to ensure justice in her honor.

At the time of Le's May 27 disappearance, she was working on a bachelor's degree program at Samuel Merritt University in Oakland, Calif. combining classroom work with clinical training.