JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A body has been discovered in an area not far from where a local woman was last seen alive. Tara Hawkins, 33, disappeared on June 1. Police haven't linked the cases but Hawkins' relatives are worried.
"I want to deny it but it's possible it could be her," says Duane Jackson, Hawkins' uncle.
Jackson reported his niece missing after he hadn't heard from her for several days.
On Monday afternoon, people living in the area along Philips Highway, where the body was discovered, received a message from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
The message said, "This is the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office calling to inform you that we're looking for items belonging to a missing person. The missing person has been found. However we are looking for a Hamilton blue beach cruiser, a women's t-shirt, blue jeans and a cell phone. These items are in the area of Emerson, Spring Park, Emerson, Phillips." The message also said to call the JSO Homicide Department if someone found the missing items.
"We've been kind of concerned in the area because of everything going on with the girl missing," says Billy Kirk, who received the message.
For now, Hawkins disappearance remains a mystery.
Hawkins' family says she is a former real estate agent and sailor who went through some financial hardships. She was also in a bad car crash. Since then, she hasn't been the same. Hawkins' uncle is hoping for the best.
"She's just a sweet, nice person," says Jackson. "She does anything for anybody."
