Authorities announced on Monday that a Buckeye woman who had been reported missing with her dog has been found dead after her car broke down on Interstate 10 nearly two months ago.
The Buckeye Police Department reported that search crews discovered Hope Tucker, a 46-year-old woman, and her dog in a region north of Verrado Way and Thomas Road at approximately 6:30 a.m.
Tucker’s body was discovered in a region that had steep terrain with hills and a tall berm, but there were no apparent indications of any physical injuries on his body.
The cause of Tucker’s death will be determined by the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office.
During a press conference on Monday, Carissa Planalp, a spokeswoman for the Buckeye Police, expressed her disappointment with the outcome of the search. She stated that although the crews were prepared for the possibility of finding a deceased individual, it was not the outcome they had hoped for. Planalp also conveyed her sympathies to the Tucker family, who are currently mourning this significant loss.
What led to Hope Tucker’s disappearance?
On June 22, Tucker’s disappearance was reported, precisely a month after her car broke down on Interstate 10, between Verrado Way and Watson Road.
According to the police, on May 22, Tucker, a man with autism, and their dog left their car in search of shade. Sadly, his mother passed away shortly after. The temperature in Phoenix was reported to be 97 degrees on that day. After two days, Tucker was found at a nearby gas station, where he was dehydrated and distressed. He was hospitalized for a month as a result of the ordeal.
On June 22, the son, who faces communication challenges, informed a relative about his mother’s condition. Subsequently, the family member contacted the police, and a quest for the missing person was launched.
For more than two weeks, the search for the missing person was aided by crews from the Gila River Police Department, Department of Public Safety, Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Border Patrol.
Unfortunately, no additional details were accessible at this time.