Family looking for closure for weekend murder victim

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX/WTTE) -- A 31-year-old mother of four had not been heard from for over a week.

Then came the news on Monday that Jessica Turner was found murdered behind an abandoned home off East Mound Street this past weekend. Turner died of blunt force trauma to the head, according to Franklin County Coroner Dr. Anahi Ortiz. Police are investigating the case as a homicide.

Stephanie Pennell, Turner's sister, said police are working on the case. But, she is pleading for anybody who has information to let detectives know.

"I just hope that everyone can just come forward and tell the police if they saw anything just to help piece together the story," Pennell said. "I know she was a little lost in the past few years, but to have her leave this earth in that way is an awful thing."

Detectives aren't releasing how Turner was killed or if they have any suspects.

"Nobody deserves that,it is hard to put into words, it's a thing you don't expect to happen to your family, definitely not your sister," said Pennell.

Turner's mother, Belinda Pennell, said she went to see where her daughter's decomposed body was found near an alley in some weeds.

"It breaks my heart to think of my daughter just rotting away," Belinda Pennell said.

Now her family's concerns are for the grandchildren. Turner's family said she had lost custody of the children a couple years ago but had visitation rights and was part of the kids' lives.

"I don't think it's hit them yet. It will hit them, on days like birthdays. They get married one day and they won't have their mom there, because somebody took her from them," Stephanie Pennell said. "The one thing for somebody to do, they can speak up so she can have justice cause whoever did this is just evil."

Turner's mother said she thinks the killer should take responsibility for what happened and face their punishment.The family is now making plans for a memorial service and for caring for the children.

They have set up a Go Fund Me account to help with those expenses.

Belinda Pennell said the family is grateful Turner's body was found at all. They had been trying to reach her for over a week to no avail. "I need closure , I need to say goodbye, I need to tell her I found you, I found you."