Dallas

Family ‘Devastated at the Loss' After Teen Murdered

Family members organizing canvassing of crime scene on Thursday

Family and friends of 18-year-old Zoe Hastings want answers. They want to know why someone would kill the recent high school graduate who was on her way to church.

"She would literally light up a room," said friend Shannon Mani. "How could anybody do this to her? Why did that happen?"

Police believe Hastings used a Redbox kiosk at the Walgreens at Garland and Peavey roads near White Rock Lake in Dallas Sunday at about 4:45 p.m. Mani, who is an old friend and former classmate of Hastings, was working inside the store the day she disappeared.

"I wish I could have seen her because I was at work," said Mani. "I really wish I could have seen her. But it's too late now."

Dallas police say detectives have been going door-to-door looking for answers and retracing the steps of 18-year-old Zoe Hastings found dead inside her car in a creek.

Hastings was found dead on Monday inside her family minivan in a creek not far from her home. Her family said she was on her way to a church class, but she never made it.

Police are hoping someone who saw something comes forward.

"We want to talk to them to see if they by any chance remember seeing Zoe, the van that we released pictures of or perhaps a person or persons of interest that detectives can follow up with," said Dallas Police Maj. Max Geron.

Dallas police gave an update Wednesday on the investigation into the death of 18-year-old Zoe Hastings.

Hastings' family, along with the help of police, will be searching Norbuck Park located in at 200 North Buckner Boulevard on Thursday at 5 p.m. for any clues that might help with the case.

Hastings' funeral is scheduled for Saturday at 11 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on East Lake Highland Drive.

Oak Farms has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and indictment of the person responsible for her death.

In a statement released Wednesday, Hastings' family said:

We are devastated at the loss of our daughter Zoe. 

Today, we express our gratitude to local law enforcement, officials, and loved ones helping our family.

Our Zoe was full of life and love and light. She was full of talent. She was happy and joyful. She is loved by her parents and her siblings. She loved the Lord, Jesus Christ, and loved serving others. She was planning to serve a mission to share this message of the Savior’s love with others. It pains us to know that her life has been taken, yet we feel comfort in knowing that our family is forever and we will be together again someday.

We are grateful for the privacy and respect given to us during this extremely difficult time. Please continue to pray for our family. We appreciate and need your support.

NBC 5's Holley Ford contributed to this report.

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