As authorities focus on possibly filing more charges against Jesse Matthew Jr., the prime suspect in the disappearance of University of Virginia student Hannah Graham, his family spoke out on Friday – hours after her remains were positively identified.
Matthew's lawyer, James Camblos III, released a statement on behalf of Matthew's relatives, the Carr family, WUSA 9 reports.
"On behalf of the Carr family and speaking for myself as well, our thoughts and prayers go out to the Graham family in their time of bereavement," the statement says. "The Carrs asked me to convey that they will continue to pray for the Grahams and the Harringtons throughout this ordeal."
Matthew, who police believe was the last person seen with Graham on Sept. 13 in Charlottesville, is currently being held without bond and in isolation in the Albemarle Regional Jail. He is charged with abduction with intent to defile in connection to the 18-year-old's disappearance. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Dec. 4 on the abduction charge.
He has also been linked to Virginia Tech student Morgan Harrington, who was murdered in 2009, and to a brutal rape four years earlier in Virginia.
Matthew's lawyer, James Camblos III, released a statement on behalf of Matthew's relatives, the Carr family, WUSA 9 reports.
"On behalf of the Carr family and speaking for myself as well, our thoughts and prayers go out to the Graham family in their time of bereavement," the statement says. "The Carrs asked me to convey that they will continue to pray for the Grahams and the Harringtons throughout this ordeal."
Matthew, who police believe was the last person seen with Graham on Sept. 13 in Charlottesville, is currently being held without bond and in isolation in the Albemarle Regional Jail. He is charged with abduction with intent to defile in connection to the 18-year-old's disappearance. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Dec. 4 on the abduction charge.
He has also been linked to Virginia Tech student Morgan Harrington, who was murdered in 2009, and to a brutal rape four years earlier in Virginia.
Jesse Leroy Matthew Jr.
City of Charlottesville / Reuters / Landov
Albemarle County Commonwealth's Attorney Denise Lunsford said on Friday that her office is considering whether to charge him further in the case. "The focus of the investigation now is to determine what charges will be brought and the appropriate time to make those charges," she said in a statement. "We are working diligently with local law enforcement on the investigation to ensure that we make the best determination for our community and the Grahams in the pursuit of justice."
Matthew is facing charges in connection with a 2005 rape in Fairfax, Virginia. On Oct. 20, two days after Graham's body was found, a grand jury in Fairfax indicted Matthew on a charge of attempted capital murder and felony counts of abduction with intent to defile and sexual penetration with an object in connection with the attack nine years ago.
A significant break in Harrington's murder led to his indictment. On Sept. 29, Virginia State Police announced that they had forensic evidence linking Matthew to Harrington, 20, who was last seen at a concert on the University of Virginia campus in Charlottesville on Oct. 17, 2009. Her remains were found three months later on a 700-acre farm about five miles from where Graham's remains were found.
DNA from Harrington's killer was also linked to the 2005 rape. On Oct. 20, Fairfax County prosecutor Ray Morrogh told reporters that he could not discuss how this investigation and indictment relates to the Harrington or Graham cases. "The facts and details will be revealed in the judicial process," he said.
Camblos did not return PEOPLE's calls for comment.
'Hannah Lit Up Our Lives'
On Friday morning, Graham's parents, John and Sue Graham, reportedly visited the site where their daughter's remains were found – 12 miles from where she was last seen, and four miles from where Matthew grew up.The Grahams thanked police and citizens alike who helped search for their daughter – especially Charlottesville Police Chief Tim Longo, saying in a statement that it was due to his "tenacity and determination," that "Hannah is coming home to us and we will be eternally grateful to him for this."
Her parents said they are "devastated" by the loss of their daughter. "Over recent weeks Hannah has been described by those who know her as bright, witty, thoughtful, loyal and fun to be around. She was all those things and more. Put simply, Hannah lit up our lives, the lives of our family and the lives of her friends and others who knew her.
"Although we have lost our precious Hannah, the light she radiated can never be extinguished. We will hold it in our hearts forever and it will help sustain us as we face a painful future without her. We are so very proud of Hannah and all that she achieved. Although only 18 years old, Hannah had just started her second year at the University of Virginia when she disappeared and was excelling academically.
She loved UVA and the City of Charlottesville, and was very happy to return there after the summer break. Hannah had intended to pursue a career in global public health, she wanted to help others, and it is heart-breaking for us that she was robbed so tragically of the opportunity to fulfill her dream."
They ended their emotional statement by calling attention to other families whose loved ones have disappeared. "Although the waiting has ended for us, there are other families both in Virginia and beyond who have not been as fortunate in that their loved ones are still missing. Please continue to hold these families in your thoughts and prayers."
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