Police said on Monday that they found the body of a Brooklyn woman who has been missing for over a year.

State police said DNA testing confirmed that the remains of a young woman found outside Scranton, Pennsylvania earlier this month are those of Laura Garza, seen above.

Authorities also say a watch matching the one Garza was wearing when she was last seen was also found.

Forensic experts are now working to determine how she died.

The 25-year-old disappeared after leaving the Marquee nightclub in Chelsea with Michael Mele, 23, seen left, back on December 3, 2008. She was last seen with Mele in Newburgh, N.Y.

The disappearance spurred a massive search effort in upstate New York last year.

Mele, who is a registered sex offender, is currently serving jail time for failing to register his change of address. He has not cooperated with authorities in this case, and officials say he is still the focus of their investigation.

"He's been considered a suspect right along. Being the last person that was seen with her. Never offering an explanation for what happened to her. We certainly consider him a suspect," said New York State Police Captain Wayne Olson.

"We know he's the one that did it, but we need the evidence. And finding Laura now with the DNA and everything being done; hopefully now they're gonna be able to keep him in jail for life," said Garza family spokeswoman Awilda Cordero.

NY1 has reached out to Mele's attorney for comment.

Garza's family in McAllen, Texas plans to bring her remains back to her native state once police release them.

Her relatives remembered that she had moved from Texas to the city in the summer of 2008 with dreams of becoming a dancer.

"Oh my goodness, I can just close my eyes and think about her. The way she would dance, she enjoyed it all the time," said Isela Villalobes, Garza's cousin.

"I didn't want her to leave. And like every person that has goals, she wanted to accomplish it. And I couldn't tell her no, I supported her 100 percent," said Nicolas Garza, the victim's brother.

The family is also planning a memorial service here in the city.