Vigil held for Vineland woman found dismembered and burned

Vineland, N.J. (WTXF) - New Jersey State Police say a person passing by found the remains of 32-year-old Tonya Cook. She had been dismembered and burned. On Thursday, a vigil was held.

"It's sad. It's very sad," said Ella Scurry is overcome with emotion over the loss of her cousin Tonya Cook.

"She was fun loving and always smiling. She's going to be missed," said Scurry. She and other family members at a vigil Thursday evening say they'll always remember Tonya's smile.

MORE: Remains of Vineland woman found dismembered and burned

"She was really easy to get along with and she was always smiling," said Joseph Hill. He says it's hard it's hard to accept his cousin is gone.

"She will really be missed a lot. This one really hit home," he said. Nearly 100 friends and family gathered at the site where someone brutally took Tonya's life.

Investigators say the 32-year-old was dismembered and burned. Her were remains found in the area of Banks Road near Lummistown Road in Lawrence Township in Cumberland County. Someone passing by made the horrifying discovery the morning of July 2nd.

An attorney for the family says they received some encouraging news before the vigil.

"The Cook family received bittersweet news that law enforcement arrested a suspect in connection with Tonya's death," said Debbie Gruber speaking on behalf of the family.

The crowd lit candles, said prayer and ended in song. They vowed never to forget the young woman and her mother who stood alongside the family attorney in tears.

"Faye has felt the kind of pain that no mother should ever have to feel and Faye doesn't want any other mother to have to feel the pain that she is feeling currently," said Gruber.