MARICOPA COUNTY, Ariz. — What happened to JoAnn Dudek? Even a year later, neither her family nor law enforcement has the answer.
Dudek’s husband last saw her on Nov. 13, 2022, at their home in a separate bedroom.
The next morning, the then 64-year-old was gone without a trace and hasn’t been seen since.
"She left the home without phone, wallet and keys. Anyone who knows her knows she wouldn't leave without those things, especially her phone," says niece Erin Murtha.
As the one-year mark approaches to her disappearance, her family is making sure the case into her disappearance doesn’t go cold.
"JoAnn did not disappear on her own volition. People do not just get up and completely disappear off the face of the earth," says Murtha.
Sunday night, family, friends and neighbors hosted a vigil in her honor. The event provided an opportunity for those who know Dudek to come together to pray for her return, while searching for answers on where she could be.
During the vigil Murtha shared the case had been turned over to homicide detectives with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.
12News reached out to MCSO, who would not confirm if the case is now classified as a homicide.
In a statement the agency said, "it's awaiting examinations on test results."
Family members called Dudek, a loving mother, and the life of any gathering.
At the time of her disappearance, family members say Dudek was looking forward to family trip, but as days grow into weeks, months and now a year they're prepared for the grim reality of what may have happened to her.
"We leave here with more questions, than answers," says Murtha.
But family members say they're not giving up the search on finding her.
Anyone with information on where JoAnn could be is urged to call the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office at 602-876-1011.
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