SAN DIEGO -- Forensic experts examining the partially decomposed body of Danielle van Dam are trying to determine how she was killed.

DANIELLE VAN DAM 1994-2002 Watch Danielle Video Montage DONATIONS The Danielle van Dam Fund Mail donations to: Community Bible Church 9919 Carroll Center Road San Diego, 92126 For donations for funeral or memorial services, contact: Susan Wintersteen (858) 735-6735 Send mail to: P.O. Box 501515 San Diego, CA 92150 DISCUSSION Share your feelings, thoughts for van Dam family Danielle Web site

Late Thursday afternoon, San Diego County District Attorney Paul Pfingst confirmed that the small corpse found alongside a rural East County road was that of the 7-year-old, who vanished at the beginning of last month.

Relying largely on dental records, Medical Examiner Dr. Brian Blackbourne confirmed the suspicions of detectives that the remains were those of the little girl.

"Dr. Blackbourne reports that he has confirmed that the body of a little girl discovered Wednesday is, in fact, the body of Danielle van Dam," Pfingst said.

Brenda and Damon van Dam issued a statement expressing their grief and thanking those who participated in searching for her.

"With today's confirmation that our beloved Danielle will never again be physically present in our lives, we are experiencing the depths of sadness, loss and grief, which only parents who have lost children under similar circumstances can fully comprehend.

"Danielle was a very special, beautiful, loving little girl. We miss her desperately but find comfort in knowing that she is now safe again and at peace."

For Danielle, our family, friends and neighbors, we thank you for unifying us into such a giving community./We will be forever grateful to all of you."

Citizen volunteers Wednesday afternoon came across Danielle's remains under a clutch of oak trees next to Dehesa Road, which winds through a sparsely developed inland valley east of El Cajon.

Pfingst and San Diego police Chief David Bejarano thanked the legions of civilians who gave up their spare time over the last four weeks to scour much of San Diego County and its environs in hopes of locating Danielle.

They also acknowledged that the discovery of her body -- a feat Pfingst likened to finding the proverbial "needle in a haystack" -- is a serious boon to their case against the man accused of abducting and killing her.

Sabre Springs design engineer David A. Westerfield, 50, was arrested a week ago and pled not guilty earlier this week to charges of kidnapping and murder.

Westerfield, a twice-divorced father of two who lives two doors down from the van Dams, could face the death penalty if convicted. A preliminary hearing in the case is set for March 11.