HAZLETON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — "Justice for Jessica:" That's what family and friends of murder victim 39-year-old Jessica Lockwood from the Hazleton area say they want to see.
A manhunt is underway right now for her alleged killer, 55-year-old Terence Ray.
Lockwood's body was found burning along a Hazleton road last week.
Law enforcement sources tell 28/22 News they are working around the clock to track down Terence Ray to get "Justice for Jessica."
"I just want them to get him, I want him to serve justice, because it was not deserved at all," friend of Jessica Lockwood, Tammy Mummey, said.
That's the bottom line for family and friends of 39-year-old Jessica Lockwood.
Investigators say Lockwood was murdered by 55-year-old Terence Ray last week.
Her body was found burning along Club 40 Road Sunday morning, April 27.
Detectives say Ray shot and beat her to death inside his Muir Avenue home in Hazleton Heights the day before.
She went there looking to buy painkillers from Ray.
The district attorney, Sam Saguedolce, says Lockwood suffered from substance abuse disorder.
Police searched that home and said they found evidence linking Ray to the killing.
Ryan Petrill is Lockwood's ex-husband, the father of their two children, a 14-year-old son and an 11-year-old daughter.
"I just try to reassure them that their mom was always there for them. Whatever they read, don't, like, read into it too much, that she was a great person. She cared for them. She cared for different people in the community. I just try to assure them of that," Petrill said.
Petrill believes that Lockwood was caught off guard by Ray.
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"I don't think she would have put herself in this situation knowing that it would have happened because of them.. She would do anything she could for them," Petrill explained.
Close family friend, Jude Sidari, says Lockwood's 14-year-old son was with him and his son when she disappeared.
They went looking for her when she never showed up to pick up her son.
Sidari helped set up a GoFundMe account for the children.
"The outpouring of people, like everyone just come out donating, right now, like the last time I checked, it was $21,533, and that's really going to benefit the children. Help the out," Sidari said.
There are other fundraisers set up for the children.
Terence Ray remains on the run. He is considered armed and dangerous. If you see him, do not approach him. Call 911.
28/22 News is still working the story and will have more in the days ahead.
