Kris Zocco's former neighbors pleased Dwyer family will get closure; "Let's solve the rest of the puzzle"
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- How did Kelly Dwyer end up in Jefferson County? Who put her there? Many are hoping Thursday's news that skeletal remains found are those of Dwyer will lead to the answers investigators have been looking for.
The news that the human remains are those of Dwyer brought mixed emotions for Christopher Schwartz. His organization, Operation Locate Our Children, has been involved in the search for Kelly Dwyer.
Kelly Dwyer
Schwartz never gave up hope.
"There is not a day that goes by that we don't think about Kelly," said Schwartz.
On Thursday, the search for Kelly Dwyer officially came to an end. Now, a new chapter begins: How did she die, and where? Will the evidence point to the man police have suspected since the beginning?
Milwaukee police say the investigation into the circumstances surrounding Dwyer’s disappearance and the cause of her death remain under investigation by MPD and authorities in Jefferson County.
The last person seen with her, Kris Zocco, is behind bars at the Dodge Correctional Institution in Waupun for drug and child pornography convictions. He has never been charged in connection with Dwyer’s disappearance.
Kris Zocco's East Side apartment building
On Thursday, with her picture close, Schwartz went to the place Kelly Dwyer was last seen -- Kris Zocco's East Side apartment building. Surveillance video from Zocco’s apartment building shows Dwyer entering the building on October 10th, 2013. Dwyer and Zocco leave the building and re-enter twice — but Dwyer is never seen leaving again. Search warrants also indicated police may have suspected Zocco in relation to “homicide or mutilating or hiding a corpse.” The documents reveal a cadaver dog picked up on scents in the first-floor trash area at Zocco’s East Side apartment building, and on a shovel inside that trash room. Additionally, when the dog was allowed to sniff on the 18th floor of the building, it went straight to Zocco’s door.
"I'm really sad. But I'm really glad that Kelly's family can have closure. They can have a proper funeral and burial, and finally the person or person responsible can be brought to justice," said Schwartz.
Kris Zocco
The human remains were found last weekend -- just as a new search for Kelly Dwyer was set to begin.
"I'm shocked and at the same time, I'm very happy for the family," said Peggy Ann, Zocco's former neighbor.
Ann is among those who wondered what happened to the Dwyer.
"I did not feel secure there (at the East Side apartment building). I did not," said Ann.
The unknown caused Ann to move out.
"When you hear something like that, you are always like, 'woah,'" said Payaal Sridhar, Zocco's former neighbor.
Sridhar says she too has been on edge ever since Dwyer disappeared.
Thursday's news, they say, will help them feel more secure, but more importantly, may help finally determine what happened to Kelly Dwyer.
"Let's solve the rest of the puzzle," said Ann.
Kelly Dwyer is no longer missing. Those who never stopped searching say this day is no coincidence.
"Somebody from above was looking out for us," said Schwartz.
Kelly Dwyer
As investigators continue to try and figure out what happened, friends and family are expected for a vigil Friday night, May 8th, on the city's East Side.
Details are being worked out as to the vigil. FOX6 News will keep you updated when more information is available.