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For more than a year, the family of missing Army Spec. Alex Jimenez hoped and prayed he would return to them alive.

But that hope was shattered Thursday when military officials informed Jimenez’s mother, Maria del Rosario Duran, that the Army had dicovered remains and identified them as belonging to her son.

On Friday, the family, along with family friend Councilman Hiram Monserrate (D-Corona), held a tearful press conference outside Duran’s home. As a barrage of camera flashes snapped, Jimenez’s younger brother Andy thanked everyone for their support, but could say little more before breaking down.

Jimenez, 25, was a member of the New York-based 10th Mountain Division and had been listed as missing in action since May 12, 2007, when his Humvee unit was ambushed in Iraq.

The insurgents killed five U.S. soldiers during the attack and kidnapped another three, including Jimenez. While the body of one, Pfc. Joseph Anzack, was found about a week later, Jimenez and Pvt. Bryan Fouty were not discovered until a year later.

Monserrate said the family was coordinating the burial arrangements with Jimenez’s father, who lives in Massachusetts.

“I want everyone to remember him,” said his mother. “He was wonderful, he loved everybody.

“I’m feeling very sad,” she said. “He was a wonderful son.”