Recovered; Sep 18, 2007

Police tell AMW that on Sept. 19, 2007, shortly after 9 a.m., they positively identified the body of missing student Jessica Birge. Just a day earlier, rescue crews found a car in the Guadalupe River that resembled Jessica's. Although a body was inside, they used dental records to make a positive identification.

Police decided to search the river because they had not searched that area yet and wanted to take every opportunity to try and locate Jessica. Water levels had been too high since Jessica disappeared but finally, on Sept. 18, 2007, police say that water levels were low enough for rescue crews to take a look. And that's when they spotted what appeared to be a car. A team of divers then uncovered the car and found a body inside. And on Sept. 20, 2007, police learned from the medical examiner's office that Jessica's death is being ruled accidental. Police say although a piece of Jessica's hair was found jammed in the door, it was likely caught there while Jessica tried getting out of the submerged car.