NEW YORK - The family of the eight-year-old New York City boy who was smothered and then chopped up into pieces thanked New Yorkers "who had us in our thoughts and prayers."
In a statement Friday tacked to the front door of Leibby Kletzky's home this morning, the boy's family said they are "forever grateful and thankful to [God]."
The statement continued, "We would also like to express to each and individual ... who assisted us above and beyond physically, emotionally and spiritually, and to all from around the world who had us in their thoughts and prayers."
It came after it was revealed that Kletzky spent his final moments of life in a fierce battle with alleged kidnapper Levi Aron, desperately clawing as he was suffocated with a towel, authorities said.
"There are some scratches on Aron's arms and wrists," said Police Commissioner Ray Kelly. "Based on the marks on the defendant...There was some struggle. There are marks on his body."
But the killer kept pressing on the towel until Leiby gave in.
"He fought back a little bit until eventually he stopped breathing," Aron, 35, allegedly said in a confession. "Afterwards, I panicked, because I didn't know what to do with the body."
Police said the suspect used three knives and a cutting board to dismember the child in the cramped attic apartment in Brooklyn's Kensington section.
Police made the grisly find Tuesday, a day after Kletzky went missing.
Even hardened criminals agreed with the commissioner, screaming, "You f**king killer!" in Brooklyn Criminal Court Thursday before Aron pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and kidnapping charges.
Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes said his office confiscated Aron's computers and will also investigate whether Aron had previous improper contact with kids in New York and in Tennessee, where he previously lived.
A disheveled Aron was held without bail and ordered to undergo psychiatric evaluation on Rikers Island after his lawyer told the judge his client "hears voices and suffers from hallucinations."
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