Iraq war vet, mother of six, missing in Illinois
PARK FOREST, Ill. --An Iraq war veteran and mother of six has reportedly been missing for more than a week in Illinois.
Thirty-one-year-old Brenda Jackson was last seen Jan. 5, police say, after a relative dropped her off at her home in Park Forest, about 30 miles south of Chicago. She was reported missing that same day by her mother and husband.
Since then, the Park Forest Police Department has used search teams, K-9s, checks on unoccupied buildings and spreading the word via social and news media in an attempt to find her. They also say they're investigating leads from the public.
Jackson's mother, Maria Gonzalez, told the Chicago Tribune her daughter is an Iraq war veteran who wouldn't run from anything. She told the paper the woman's six children had stayed with her the evening her daughter was reported missing because they didn't have school the following day and Jackson needed to report early to work.
Family members tell the paper they fear she fell victim to foul play. They've reportedly searched for her in the Cook County forest preserve near her house. Police tell the paper they've found no evidence to explain why she would be missing or any indication a crime occurred.
We will keep searching and looking everywhere. We will not give up. Something has to come out of this," said Gonzalez told the paper.
Jackson is described as Hispanic, about five feet tall and 125 pounds. She has a scar on her upper chest and star tattoos on both sides of her neck. She also has a heart tattooed on her ring finger and a tattoo that says "Michael" on her left inner wrist. Anyone with information is asked to call the Park Forest Police Department Investigations Unit at (708) 748-1309.