RICHMOND, Ky. — One day after Savannah Spurlock’s remains were discovered on a Garrard County property, Spurlock’s hometown is grieving the news.
"Better than not knowing but still extremely sad, disappointing, frustrating that all of the leads were from that house originally and it ended up being right there all along. That’s frustrating,” longtime Richmond resident Trent Funk said.
Richmond is a Kentucky town, known for Eastern Kentucky University, but this week everyone is talking about Savannah Spurlock.
"I still think in general this is a great place to live and raise your kids but the events over the last six months have been unsettling," Funk said.
Spurlock was last seen leaving a Lexington bar in January with three men. On Thursday, Kentucky State Police arrested 23-year-old David Sparks in connection with the disappearance of Spurlock. Police found Spurlock’s remains and items connected to the young mother on the property where Sparks lives.
Funk said, “it’s just extremely sad. Kids growing up without a mom. It’s extremely sad."
Forty-thousand people follow the Spurlock family on a “Missing Savannah” social media page. Her case has garnered national attention and drawn in expert search and rescue teams, trying to find the missing mother.
David Rader leads the Midwest Chapter of Texas Equusearch. He said he lead multiple searches in Garrard County.
Rader said, "it’s kind of bittersweet from my end and my perspective. You always want to give the family the closure because they're going on a roller coaster ride that is just unbearable. They're not knowing if they're alive, if they're hurt, if they're being mistreated then on my end of it, it’s not the outcome we all wanted so it's bittersweet.”
Rader said he was surprised to learn Spurlock’s remains were on a Sparks family property. Police searched the property four months ago.
“That was kind of kick to the gut,” he said, "When was she put there? How did she get there? What manner was she put there? There are a lot more questions that need to be answered."
No charges have been filed against the other two individuals who were last seen with Spurlock.
There will be public visitation hours for Savannah:
Tuesday, July 16 from 5 p.m.-9 p.m.
Oldham, Roberts, & Powell Funeral Home
Richmond, Ky 40475
A private funeral will be held separately for close family and friends.
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