(CNN) -- Authorities looking for Hannah Graham found human remains Saturday on an abandoned property eight miles from where the University of Virginia student was last seen five weeks ago, police said. Chesterfield County Sheriff's Department members participating in the search made the discovery before noon in southern Albemarle County in central Virginia, according to Charlottesville Police Chief Timothy Longo. Shortly thereafter, a detective relayed the news to Graham's parents. "These are human remains and forensic tests need to be conducted to determine the identification...," Longo told reporters. "But nonetheless we wanted to be quick and timely to share that information with the Graham family."
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NEW: Agency: Search for Hannah Graham called off in light of "recent evidence"
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NEW: Educator: Sadness and hope that there will be closure in Charlottesville
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Hannah Graham's parents are informed; the remains are still being ID'd
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The University of Virginia student was last seen early on September 13
Her disappearance prompted a massive search involving more than 1,200 volunteers, not to mention emotional appeals from officials like @placeholder and Graham's parents.