JACKSONVILLE — The family of a Jacksonville woman whose body was found last month in a Sandalwood retention pond will hold a public candlelight vigil Thursday night.
Teresa Gorczyca was found dead three days after her family reported her missing. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) said the 27-year-old was last seen by her father and brother leaving their family home on Sunday, Sept. 26. Her parents told police she left home on foot and did not take her cell phone.
Neither JSO nor the medical examiner’s office has released Gorczyca’s cause of death and no arrests have been made.
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In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Gorczyca’s sister said anyone who would like to honor her sister’s life is welcome to attend a public candlelight vigil on Thursday, Oct 7 at 7:15 p.m. on Alfa Romeo Drive in Sutton Lakes. Candles will be provided.
Memorial and funeral services are scheduled for Friday, Oct. 8, both of which Gorczyca’s family says the public is also welcome to attend.
Following the discovery of Gorczyca’s body, her sister Kimberly offered the following statement to Action News Jax:
“My family and I are all grieving the loss of Teresa. Our hearts are shattered, and we are grief-stricken. The pain that we’re feeling of having her ripped from our lives is unimaginable. Everyone who has ever met her says the same thing: She has an inviting & warm spirit, a great sense of humor, and a kindness that isn’t seen often enough in this world. She has touched the hearts of so many and will be terribly missed. We thank the entire community & JSO for all they’ve done in helping locate Teresa. Now we are just praying for answers, closure, and peace.”
Action News Jax also spoke with close friends like Matthew Farabee, who said they are heartbroken.
“She was all about her family and taking care of her people,” Farabee said.
Farabee said he just spoke to her a little over a week ago and that they were coworkers nearly 10 years ago. He says they never lost touch and he considered her a best friend, adding that Gorczyca had big goals in life, was talented, loved music and to make people smile.
“She was such a wonderful person,” he said. “She just always loved life in general.”