SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Officers at the Scottsdale Police Department confirmed Tuesday morning that they have found the remains of 20-year-old Najib "Jubi" Monsif.
The department tweeted out an update on their investigation stating that Jubi's remains were found at a canal pump station near Power Road and Red Mountain Loop 202.
There were no signs of foul play, police said.
In a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Scottsdale police said a worker at the canal pump station found the remains on Dec. 7. Police were able to positively identify Jubi through a DNA match.
"‘It is heartbreaking that this development happened this way," Officer Aaron Bolin said.
A Central Arizona Project (CAP) canal runs behind Jubi's home. Eleven miles down the extension of that canal is where his remains were found, police said.
"In that particular area, by Via Linda and Frank Lloyd Wright, where the canal crosses, there is a bit of gap between the two fence panels that are chained together with a chain and a lock," Detective John Heinzelman said. "Our theory is that it is possible that he could have worked his way between these two fence gates and been able to access the CAP property."
Heinzelman said Scottsdale police will continue to investigate in hopes of figuring out exactly how Jubi got into the canal and lost his life.
"It’s an answer, but it’s not the final answer. It is still a mystery as to how he got in there.We’re only speculating that he was able to work the space that we thought he did," Heinzelman said.
The day before Jubi went missing he had made statements to family members about how he was sorry he would not see them again, police said.
Scottsdale police were able to access Jubi's electronic devices, including a cell phone and gaming devices. They found everyday conversations with family.
>> You can watch the full press conference below.
"Thank you for standing with us on this journey," Jubi's sister, Josie Monsif, said in a Facebook post. "It will not be over any time soon. Bless your hearts."
The Monsif family was previously offering a $100,000 reward for any information leading to his safe return.
"I'm asking everyone to help find our angel,” his dad, Najib Monsif Sr., said in September.
Jubi was last seen at his home near Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard and Via Linda on Sept. 23 but then vanished without a trace. He had the mental capacity of a 6-year-old, and his family made a tearful plea for more information in October.
"Searchers utilized tracking dogs, air units, bicycle units, mounted patrol units, patrol officers, and detectives on foot to look for Jubi in the neighborhood, desert areas, and the canal near his home," the department said.
The news of Jubi's death comes a little over a week away from what would've been his 21st birthday.
"Jubi’s birthday is the 22nd of December. This day was always the happiest day of the year for the Monsif family for the past 20 years," Najib Monsif said.
"Yesterday Scottsdale police informed us that Jubi’s remains were found in the canal. Our angel was only 20 years old."
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