Misty Nunley's family praises police, but not knowing hurts
BY DAVID HARPER World Staff Writer
Saturday, January 12, 2013
1/12/13 at 4:49 AM
Get the latest news on the Fairmont Terrace homicides: Read coverage of the
apartment complex killings and on other homicides in the area nearby.
For Cheryl Nunley, "it's the not knowing that hurts."
Her daughter, Misty Nunley, was one of the four women who were found shot to death at the Fairmont Terrace apartment complex near 61st Street and Peoria Avenue on Monday.
Cheryl Nunley knows that the police are working their hardest to solve the crime, she said Friday evening. Still, it's been difficult to deal with the continuing daily coverage of the investigation, she said.
Police released a statement Friday afternoon, saying officers are "working tirelessly following up on leads and conducting interviews" and urged the public to "please be patient and consider the credibility of information that may be released from non Tulsa Police Department sources."
Nunley said: "There are so many rumors. I don't know who to protect my family from."
The shocking nature of the quadruple homicide is evidenced by the fact that it has drawn international news coverage. When asked what she would like the public to know about her 33-year-old daughter, Nunley replied that Misty "was a hoot" but also a devoted mother and young grandmother, a loyal friend and the sort of person who would always help a person in need.
"She was much loved and is much missed," Nunley said.
She said her daughter's goal professionally was to return to working with the mentally and physically challenged.
Misty Nunley wasn't perfect, she said, adding that 23-year-old twin sisters Rebeika Powell and Kayetie Powell Melchor - who were also fatally shot, along with 55-year-old Julie Jackson - were helping her turn her life around with their friendship.
"My heart goes out to the other families," Nunley said.
She said people have been dropping by and calling to see what they can do to help the Nunley family, and she expressed her gratitude for all who have reached out to help with everything from more than $1,700 in cremation expenses to meals for the family.
The Oklahoma Crime Victims Compensation Program has made it possible for her daughter to have an "honorable funeral," she said, adding that a memorial service is planned at the Southern Hills Baptist Church at some point within the next couple of weeks.
"I'm just amazed about the number of people who have come forward" to help, Nunley said.
As much as she deeply appreciates the emotional support, she said, there was a time on Thursday that she turned her phone off to allow her to collect her thoughts for a while.
Nunley said she thinks her mind will be eased when somebody is arrested in connection with the killings.
She hopes somebody will "come forward and tell the police who did this," and "I hope whoever did this feels some kind of remorse," she said.
A service for Rebeika Powell and Kayetie Powell Melchor will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at God's Shining Light Church under the direction of Crown Hill Funeral Home.
A service for Jackson will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Shurden-Jackson Funeral Home in Okmulgee.
David Harper 918-581-8359
david.harper@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
|
