AUBURNDALE, Fla. — Sunday marks one year since Tonya Whipp was last seen by her family. They, along with detectives, believe Tonya is no longer alive. 10 Tampa Bay was at a vigil Friday night where those who love her most are demanding justice.
Lisa Textor is Tonya Whipp’s aunt and believes her niece was killed one year ago, but she's had no time to grieve.
“I pray to god that we get justice,” she said. “I believe 100% we're going to get justice for her.”
For the past week, they've been out in the sun watching detectives comb through the house of Tonya’s fiancé, Russell Carroll. It's the second time trying to find her with no luck.
“So when she wasn't [found,] it was hard,” she said. “It's hard and now you start, your mind starts all over again. Where do we search? Where do we go next?”
“Up and down, just like a roller coaster,” said Tonya’s sister, Donna Martin. This is what we've cried for, asked for, wished our life away for-- and now here we are. We might get an answer or we might get a letdown.”
The family believes the fiancé, Russell Carroll is behind Tonya’s death, but he has not been charged in direct connection to her disappearance.
Investigators said through court documents he is the only suspect though, and he's still in jail -- accused of stealing thousands of dollars from Tonya’s accounts after she was last seen alive.
“The person that is responsible is a coward,” Textor said. “Tell us where she is. Give us that peace. Let us bring her home and give her the rest that she deserves.”
Until Tonya is laid to rest, those who love her won't rest; they're asking for continued prayers they find her, find answers and maybe one day find peace.
Carroll is only charged with taking Tonya’s money after she disappeared. But court documents say he is the only suspect in her disappearance. Her family still plans to keep searching, with the help of "We Are The Essentials," a group of former police and military that conduct searches with the consent of law enforcement.