BUCKEYE, Ariz. — A woman who was last seen in May was reported missing on June 22 and Buckeye police are asking for the community's assistance in locating her.
The Buckeye Police Department received a report Saturday afternoon that Hope Tucker, 46, had been driving her purple Dodge Charger on Interstate 10 near Verrado in Buckeye early May 22 when the car broke down. Tucker was with her adult son, who is autistic with high support needs and limited communicative abilities, police said.
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: El Departamento de Policía de Buckeye busca a una madre que desapareció en mayo
The two left the car to find shade, police said, and shortly after Tucker may have suffered a life-threatening emergency. Tucker's car was located by a trooper and towed.
Tucker's son, who is now in the care of a relative, reported this information to the relative on June 22. The relative then called Phoenix police, who alerted Buckeye police. Buckeye police initiated a search immediately.
"We did get a helicopter to fly over, in addition to multiple drones and multiple personnel, including our rapid deployment unit," Buckeye police spokesperson Carissa Planalp said.
Buckeye police had contact with Tucker's son on May 24 when police were responding to an indecent exposure call at a QuikTrip on Watson Road. Tucker's son was reportedly urinating in public and appeared to be in medical distress, police said in a news release. Buckeye fire evaluated and transported Tucker's son to the hospital where he remained for approximately a month, police said.
It wasn't until a family member of Tucker picked her son up from the hospital and asked for his mother's whereabouts that he notified that relative who then relayed the information to police.
Planalp said the son told investigators he watched his mother close her her eyes and then stop talking.
"The son believes that he saw his mother die," she said.
Buckeye police have attempted to ping Tucker's phone with no success. Buckeye police are conducting search operations and coordinating with partner agencies for additional resources.
"It's incredibly challenging for us because of the communication barrier, because of the time delay, and because of the heat," Planalp said.
Police are asking the public to please avoid the area. Anyone with information on Hope’s whereabouts is urged to call 911 or submit a tip online.
Tucker is described as being 6'1" and weighs approximately 220 lbs. She was last seen wearing a black shirt, white shorts and purple shoes.
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