Hudson River body was found Saturday has been identified as the body of missing student Jiwon Lee. According to reports, Jiwon Lee is a student from Columbia University. The Hudson River body found was an unfortunate outcome for the university student.
According to NY Daily News, Lee is a fourth-year dental student who suffered from depression. Spokesman Doug Levy said for the medical campus that Lee was expected to graduate from dental school this month.
She had not been seen since she left her residence on April 1, Tuesday, reports the NYPD. She had left a suicide note at her West 98th Street residence. The Hudson River body found on Saturday was her body, says NYPD on Sunday.
Lee is a 29-year-old fourth-year dental student who was the president of Columbia University's American Student Dental Association branch. When the NYPD found out that the Hudson River body near West 86th Street Saturday afternoon was hers, they detailed her wearing a sweater, underwear and boots.
The Hudson River body of Jiwon Lee was reportedly found floating off of W. 86th St. at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, says NYPD. The NY Daily News also reports that apart from suffering depression, Lee previously attempted suicide before her disappearance on April 1.
According to DNA Info, Lee's family and friends raised more than $87,000 in an online fundraising campaign to help pay for a private investigator in order to help search for her.
The campaign's site contained a message from Lee's brother Matt Lee, asking for privacy on the Hudson river body issue. He said that his sister had "gone on to a better place." He added on the site, "We are currently planning a memorial service to honor Jiwon and will post further details as soon as possible."
Deans at the Dental School expressed their condolences in a letter to the school community saying, "[Lee's] passion and energy were infectious. She was nationally recognized as ASDA [American Student Dental Association] President and represented the College of Dental Medicine with pride and honor."
The Hudson River body of Jiwon Lee is surprising, and the NYPD is still investigating how Lee ended up in the river in the first place. The cause of Lee's death has not yet been determined as of late Sunday night. The Medical Examiner's Office did not respond immediately for comments, reports DNA Info.
