Police say only a medical examiner can say for sure, but the grandfather of Jessica Koopmans says a body found in a farmer's field near Fort Macleod is that of his five-year-old granddaughter.

Tony Bouw and his daughter Sylvia Koopmans, Jessica's mother, appeared at a news conference in Lethbridge Saturday to talk about the investigation and to thank the public and media for their help.

Sylvia Koopmans at Saturday's news conference "I really miss Jessica. I feel sad," said Sylvia Koopmans, reading from a statement. "I'm very confused and it's hard and there's much uncertainty. But I know it'll take time for proper identification, and I want to thank everyone for their support."

Police say the body of a young girl was found under a pile of brush Friday afternoon by a woman walking her dog.

The field where the body was found.

They won't comment on the cause of death. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday in Calgary.

Bouw said it was a sad situation. But he said at least the family is not left wondering where the little girl is and whether she's alive.

Five-year-old Jessica disappeared May 4 after leaving her Lethbridge home to visit a friend's house a few doors away.

Much of the investigation now focuses on the farmer's field, about 50 kilometres west of Jessica's hometown, where dozens of police officers and dogs continue to look for evidence. The body was found under a pile of brush.

Peter Tadman, a spokesman for the Alberta Solicitor General's Department who is working with the Lethbridge police, said Friday that Jessica's parents had been notified of the discovery of a body. The Koopmans were told just before they left for an evening prayer vigil for their daughter.

"The Koopmans family is in seclusion and is asking for privacy," Tadman said."