‘Our hearts are shattered’: Family, friends remember 27-year-old found dead

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Action News Jax is following the death of a 27-year-old woman.

Police found Teresa Gorczyca dead in a drainage ditch on Wednesday in a Sutton Lakes neighborhood. Family members didn’t want to speak on camera but will reach our when they are ready.

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Gorczyca’s sister provided the following statement to Action News Jax:

“My family and I are all grieving the loss of Teresa. Our hearts are shattered, and we are grief-stricken. The pain that we’re feeling of having her ripped from our lives is unimaginable. Everyone who has ever met her says the same thing: She has an inviting & warm spirit, a great sense of humor, and a kindness that isn’t seen often enough in this world. She has touched the hearts of so many and will be terribly missed. We thank the entire community & JSO for all they’ve done in helping locate Teresa. Now we are just praying for answers, closure, and peace.”

Action News Jax also spoke with close friends like Matthew Farabee, who said they are heartbroken.

“She was all about her family and taking care of her people,” Farabee said.

Gorczyca was reported missing on Sunday afternoon before being found dead on Wednesday.

Farabee said he just spoke to her a little over a week ago and that they were coworkers nearly 10 years ago. He says they never lost touch and he considered her a best friend, adding that Gorczyca had big goals in life, was talented, loved music and to make people smile.

“She was such a wonderful person,” he said. “She just always loved life in general.”

Circumstances around Gorczyca’s death are still being investigated; Action News Jax reached out to JSO for more answers today, but still but haven’t heard back.

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Action News Jax law and safety expert Dale Carson, who’s a retired FBI Agent and Police Officer, said considering where they found her is unusual, investigators will collect as much evidence as they can and work to determine the specific cause of death.

“They are going to search the area for any kind of items that shouldn’t be there like a pack of cigarettes, a beer can,” Carson said. “All those kinds of things are collected.”

As for Farabee, he wants the family to know that everyone cared for Gorczyca.

“I hope they get the closure they deserve,” he said.

Neighbors in Sutton Lakes said police were searching for a few days around the area, and friends are hoping more information comes soon.

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