GAINESVILLE, Ga. -- Officials confirmed Monday that the body found in Lake Lanier over the weekend is that of missing woman Lizeth Ruby Ruiz.
Ruiz, 23, was reported missing on May 18 in the area of Lanier Point Park.
According to friends, Ruiz was running with a group overnight when, at some point, they said she became separated. Her friends said they couldn't find her and called police.
Authorities searched for weeks for Ruiz in that area, but were not able to turn up any clues.
Police searching for missing woman in Lake Lanier
On Saturday, two fishermen found a woman's body floating in the area where Ruiz disappeared. Officials took the body for an autopsy, and on Monday concluded a positive identity.
The Gainesville Police Department released a statement about the news saying that it was not the outcome they'd wanted, but "hope this will bring closure and peace to the family."
While the circumstances about Ruiz's disappearance are not clear, police said the autopsy results indicated that she died as a result of an accidental drowning. Police said they still don't suspect foul play, based on witness accounts from the night Ruiz went missing.
Gainesville Police said their thoughts remain with the family and added, "Although a sad situation, cases such as this shows how much Gainesville is united as a whole."
