Authorities announced on Monday that the remains of a Buckeye woman and her dog have been discovered almost two months after her car malfunctioned on Interstate 10. The woman had been reported missing, but unfortunately, both her and her loyal pet were found deceased.
According to the Buckeye Police Department, search crews discovered Hope Tucker, aged 46, and her loyal companion, in a location slightly north of Verrado Way and Thomas Road at approximately 6:30 a.m.
Upon discovering Tucker’s body, there were no clear indications of physical harm. The location of the body was situated in a region with rugged topography consisting of hills and a high berm.
The cause of Tucker’s death will be determined by the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Carissa Planalp, spokeswoman for Buckeye Police, expressed her disappointment during a press conference on Monday stating, “Although the crews were ready for the possibility of finding a deceased person, this was not the outcome we were hoping for. Our thoughts and condolences are with the Tucker family as they mourn this tragic loss.”
What led to Hope Tucker’s disappearance?
On June 22, Tucker was reported missing, precisely one month after her car broke down on Interstate 10, in the area between Verrado Way and Watson Road.
According to police, Tucker, who is an adult with autism, and the family dog left the vehicle to find some shade on May 22 while his mother stayed behind. Unfortunately, the mother passed away shortly thereafter due to the extreme heat. The National Weather Service reported that the temperature in Phoenix that day was a scorching 97 degrees. Two days later, on May 24, Tucker was found at a gas station close by, dehydrated and distressed. He was immediately taken to the hospital and remained there for a month to recover.
On June 22, the son, who faces communication challenges, informed a relative about his mother’s condition. Upon receiving the information, the family member immediately contacted the police, and a search mission was launched.
For more than two weeks, the search for the missing person was aided by crews from various law enforcement agencies, including the Gila River Police Department, Department of Public Safety, Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Border Patrol.
