Police announced they found remains during their search for missing University of Virginia student Hannah Graham. The discovery of the body has led to a halt in the search until the remains are tested and identified, as they may be Graham's.

The remains were found on Saturday at noon some 10 miles from where Graham was last seen, according to NBC News. Police found the remains in an abandoned property near Old Lynchburg Road in Albemarle County.

"Right now we have the discovery of human remains and a great deal of work ahead of us," said Col. Steve Sellers, Albemarle County Police chief. "We cannot and will not jump to any conclusions regarding today's discovery. I ask for the public's patience as we move forward and pursue what is now a new, ongoing death investigation."

Sellers then asked anyone who was around Old Lynchburg Road or lives near the area to report any suspicious activity from the night Graham went missing. He added that police searched the area for any other evidence related to the crime.

According to The Associated Press and WJLA, Charlottesville Police Chief Timothy Longo said in a news conference that he informed Graham's family remains had been found.

The area where the remains were found is near where the remains of a Virginia Tech student were found in 2009. The police add that they have found a "forensic link" between the two cases.

"Countless hours, thousands of hours, have been spent by literally hundreds of law enforcement, civilian volunteers in an effort to find Hannah," Long said. "We think perhaps today proved their worth."

"This, sadly, is now a death investigation," Sellers said, according to USA Today, suggesting that Graham is dead.

USA Today reported, "The remains will be taken to state's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Richmond, Virginia, for an autopsy."

Graham, a sophomore at the University of Virginia, disappeared on Sept. 13 after she left an off-campus party. Witnesses last saw her with Jesse Matthew, who was questioned by police, fled to Texas and was subsequently arrested.

The search scheduled for Sunday has been called off.

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