Vigil Planned For Chelsea Bruck, Funeral Arrangements Pending
MONROE (CBS DETROIT/AP) - Devastating news surfaced for the family of Chelsea Bruck, 22, Friday, when a decomposed body found in Monroe County was positively identified as the missing young woman.
The family of Chelsea sent a statement to WWJ Newsradio 950 thanking many for support and outlining plans for a vigil Tuesday night:
"Thank you to everyone for your kind words and prayer during this difficult time. We worked tirelessly for six months to find Chelsea. She has been returned to us and we take relief in knowing she is with our heavenly father. Our faith is strong and we continue to put everything in God's hands. We appreciate everyone's time, help, and funding no matter how big or small," a portion of the statement read.
"Receiving this news has been devastating to our family."
The vigil will take place Tuesday, April 28, at St. Joseph's Church, 9207 Josephs Street, Maybee, MI 48159. You are asked to bring a candle.
Parking is available across the street from the church and behind the church.
Bruck had been missing since Oct. 26, when apparently she walked away from a Halloween party at a rural farmhouse on Post Road in Frenchtown Township during the early morning hours. A $30,000 cash reward had been offered in the case.
The location of Bruck's body over the weekend has brought a contrast of sorrow, relief and a reminder for some parents like Cynthia Hammond of Newport to be more aware. She has a daughter who also knew Chelsea.
"I'm on her a lot more, I make her check in a lot more and she's 23, so I never used to be on her as much as I am now," said Hammond.
There are still fliers taped to doors of some businesses, and purple ribbons tied to lamp posts, reminders of what this area has gone through since October.
"It's tough, when you go everywhere and see signs posted up. It's just been really hard," said a Carleton woman.
Police and volunteers had been searching for Bruck since she went missing. She was dressed as the comic book villain Poison Ivy for the party, but her body wasn't clothed when workers found it while trying to free a dump truck from the soggy soil.
Bruck's costume was discovered earlier this month at an industrial site about 10 miles from where the body was located.
A witness told police about seeing Bruck in her costume at the party around 3 a.m., walking in the direction of where cars were parked. A man was with her.
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