They feared the worst on Friday.

Their fears were confirmed Sunday.

The family of Patrick Dennehy were the first to receive news that a body found Friday near Waco was positively identified as being the missing Baylor basketball player.

Jessica De La Rosa, Dennehy's girlfriend, told ESPN.com on Sunday night that the family was prepared for the news of Dennehy's death. De La Rosa said McLennan County Sheriff Larry Lynch -- who made the news public at approximately 11 p.m. ET Sunday -- called with the news.

De La Rosa, speaking from her Albuquerque home, said Lynch initially was unable to reach Dennehy's mother, Valorie, and stepfather Brian Brabazon because the Brabazons were returning to Nevada. They were notified soon after De La Rosa was told and immediately decided to stay in a hotel before continuing home to Carson City.

De La Rosa called Dennehy's biological father, Patrick Sr., in Washington state and also relayed the news to other friends and former coaches.

According to De La Rosa, Dennehy's family was privy to aspects of the case that did not reach the public. Still, the family wasn't anticipating a positive identification until Monday at the earliest.

"He was perfect for me," said De La Rosa, who couldn't hold back tears Sunday night. "Absolutely perfect. There's not anything about him that wasn't perfect for me. I loved the way he always smiled at me. He loves the Lord and that's a very secure thing for me.

"This is his earthly body that is gone. He's walking with God right now. I know he'll watch over and take care of me for the rest of my life because he always told me that. He said he would marry me."

De La Rosa said the Brabazons and the family decided that Patrick's remains would be buried in the Bay Area of California where he grew up.

"He loves that place," De La Rosa said.

Like their daughter, John and Debby De La Rosa also were devastated by the news.

"I can say we love Patrick and that Patrick is a shy, sensitive, strong young man, and I very much looked forward to Patrick being my son-in-law," John De La Rosa said. "We all love him. Everyone in our family loves him. Our hearts are very heavy right now. Regardless of what anyone might say, we stand by Patrick. We love him."

ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla recruited Dennehy to New Mexico and coaching him for his freshman and sophomore seasons (2000-02) before the player transferred to Baylor. Dennehy was an honorable mention all-Mountain West player in 2002.

"I'm deeply saddened to hear that the body found was Patrick's," Fraschilla said. "My last memory of him was seeing him at a Baylor game in Waco this season. He was positive and upbeat about continuing his career. I know he will be missed by his friends and family."

Richard Guinn, whose son R.T. plays for Baylor, said Sunday night that he and his son were saddened by the news.

"It's devastating," Richard Guinn told The Associated Press. "It's sad on our part and everybody else's, for Waco and Baylor, and yet it's closure that now we know we found him. I wish he'd been found alive."

John De La Rosa said he will not feel closure because of the grieving that lies ahead and that former Baylor teammate Carlton Dotson has been charged with murdering Dennehy. Dotson remains jailed without bond in Maryland and is awaiting extradition to Texas.

"It's going to be a while before we can talk about closure," John De La Rosa said.

Andy Katz is a senior writer for ESPN.com.