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By Steve Huff in missing persons
Tuesday, Sep. 16 2008 @ 4:34PM

hannahupp2.jpgHanna Emily Upp, the 23-year-old teacher who vanished in New York City on August 29, has been found alive. Hannah was reportedly rescued by deck hands on a Staten Island ferry boat.

The boat pilot saw Hannah in the water as he approached the Staten Island Terminal. A small rescue boat was launched from the ferry and Hannah was taken aboard. She was near drowning and reportedly "non-responsive."

Hannah was sent to Staten Island's Richmond University Medical Center. She is said to be in stable condition.

Hannah's brother, Dan "Wally" Upp, sent the following message to members of the Facebook group devoted to finding Hannah:

At long last, we are able to confirm that Hannah has been found and is safe! She is being cared for and has been positively identified. Hallelujah!
The media has already heard and some have immediately taken the most sensationalist route possible, but please don't put much credit in what they are saying/guessing/making up. The accurate details will all come out in time.

Thank you all so much for everything that you have done to help in this effort. It has been a long two weeks for all of us since she was declared missing, and we are overjoyed that she has been found.

with great rejoicing,
Hannah's family and friends

I am glad to say that since it does not appear -- at the moment -- that Hannah's disappearance was related to anything criminal, it will no longer be covered in this blog. It's just really nice to be able to say that about someone who has been found alive, someone who will be able to go home to her family. For anyone who covers crime stories, that's all too rare a privilege.

[NYT]