The family of a Joliet woman whose remains were found in a barrel last week is speaking out.
They spent days searching and handing out flyers, always hopeful that they would find Ashley Tucker. Now, they’re trying to process her killing as they wait for a suspect to face charges.
It’s been a tough two weeks for Tucker’s family and friends.
"It seems unreal," family friend George Lopez said. "They are taking it pretty hard."
"I cant even sleep," Tucker's aunt Lakisa Tucker said. "She stays on my mind."
The 25-year-old went missing from Joliet Oct. 13.
Days later, flyers went up calling on the public to help bring her home.
But last week, hope turned into heartache when Tucker’s remains were found in a barrel in Lockport.
Joliet police took Peter Zabala into custody over the weekend on an unrelated charge. They say the 42-year-old is a suspect in the case. He has not been charged with Tucker's death.
Family members say Zabala is an acquaintance who disappeared shortly after Tucker went missing.
Joliet police won’t say if Zabala could soon be facing charges for Tucker's death. They also say because of the condition of her body, it will take time to determine how she died.
