Original news release (June 23, 2024). Scroll down for updates.

BUCKEYE, AZ (June 23, 2024): Buckeye police need your help locating 46-year-old Hope Tucker. BPD received a report yesterday (June 22, 2024) afternoon that Hope’s purple Dodge Charger had broken down on I-10 near Verrado in the early hours of May 22nd. Hope was with her adult son who is autistic with high support needs and limited communication. The two left the vehicle to seek shade, and shortly after, Hope may have suffered a life-threatening medical emergency. Just after 11 a.m. that same day, a trooper in the area located the abandoned vehicle on I-10 near mile post 119, and it was towed.

Hope’s son, who is now in the care of a relative, reported this information yesterday to the relative who then called Phoenix Police. Buckeye police were notified and immediately initiated a search.

Investigators have learned Buckeye police had contact with Hope’s son on May 24th when responding to an indecent exposure call at QT on Watson Rd. The man was reportedly urinating in public and appeared to be in medical distress. Buckeye Fire arrived to evaluate and transport him to the hospital where he remained for approximately a month.

Buckeye police have attempted to ping Hope’s phone with no success. Buckeye police are conducting search operations and coordinating with partner agencies for additional resources. We ask the public to please avoid the area. Anyone with information on Hope’s whereabouts is urged to call 911 or submit a tip online at www.buckeyeaz.gov/crimetip. 

Update 1 (June 24, 2024):

Update 2 (June 25, 2024): 

This is a visual timeline of information that has already been released via Buckeye Police social media accounts regarding the search for Hope Tucker. These are the details known to investigators at this time. They may change as Buckeye police learn more.

Details about what happened to Hope were reported by her son. He is the last person known to have seen Hope. Buckeye police are grateful for assistance from family in facilitating communication with Hope’s son as we work to locate her.

Search operations continued today with a focus on areas south of I-10 between Verrado and Watson. Buckeye police will continue to post significant updates on our social media accounts as they become available.

Anyone with information on Hope’s whereabouts is urged to call 911 or submit a tip online at www.buckeyeaz.gov/crimetip.

-Timeline-
May 22 (early morning) – According to Hope’s son, their purple Dodge Charger breaks down on I-10 between Verrado and Watson. Hope and son leave vehicle to seek shade where Hope possibly dies.

May 22 (shortly after 11 am) – Hope’s purple Dodge Charger found abandoned on I-10 near MP 119 and towed.

May 24 – Buckeye police contact a man at QT on Watson Rd regarding an indecent exposure call. He is transported to the hospital.

June 22 – Hope’s son tells relative about the events of May 22. Relative contacts Phoenix PD who notify Buckeye Police. Search is initiated. BPD learns Hope’s son is the man officers encountered on May 24.

INFORMATION ADDED: To avoid confusion, we are clarifying that the man contacted during the May 24th call at QT was Hope's adult autistic son who has limited communication. This information was previously released on Buckeye police social media platforms.

 

Buckeye police will continue to post significant updates on our social media accounts as they become available. Anyone with information on Hope’s whereabouts is urged to call 911 or submit a tip online at www.buckeyeaz.gov/crimetip

 

Update 4 (July 2, 2024):

Have you seen this dog? In the Buckeye Police Department’s ongoing efforts to locate 46-year-old Hope Tucker, detectives have learned Hope and her adult autistic son were travelling with this dog when their vehicle broke down in Buckeye on May 22, 2024. Details about this dog’s whereabouts can potentially help investigators locate Hope. Anyone who recalls seeing this dog north of I-10 in the Verrado area is urged to call our tip line at 623-349-6411 or submit a tip online at www.buckeyeaz.gov/crimetip.

 

-Background-

Hope Tucker was last seen by her adult autistic son on May 22, 2024, after their purple Dodge Charger broke down on I-10 between Verrado and Watson Rd. Hope’s son revealed this information to a family member on June 22, 2024, who then contacted police. Buckeye police were notified that same day and initiated a search.

 

Hope’s son is autistic and has limited communication. Detectives arranged for a specialized forensic interviewer to work with him and gather additional details that may assist the search.

 

Buckeye police will continue to post significant updates on our social media accounts as they become available.

 

Update 5 (July 8, 2024)

 BUCKEYE, AZ (July 8, 2024): The remains of a missing mom and her dog have been located. Search crews located the body of Hope Tucker this morning outside the Sienna Hills community north of I-10. The 46-year-old was reported missing on June 22^nd, sparking a two-week search that included dogs, drones, off-road vehicles and additional ground and air support from multiple law enforcement partners. 

Hope was last seen by her adult autistic son on May 22^nd when their car broke down on I-10 between Verrado and Watson Rd. The two and their dog left the vehicle in search of shade. Some time after, Hope passed away. Hope’s son, who has difficulty communicating, shared this information with a family member on June 22^nd. The family member called police, and BPD immediately initiated a search.

Crews searched north and south of I-10 with assistance from several law enforcement agencies including Gila River Police, Department of Public Safety, Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Border Patrol. Detectives also enlisted the help of a specialized forensic interviewer to meet with Hope’s son and gain additional details that helped guide search operations.

Buckeye police set out this morning around 5 a.m. to search the desert area just west of the Sienna Hills community near Verrado Way and Thomas Rd. Hope’s body and her deceased dog were located just before 6:30 a.m. approximately 1.5 miles from I-10. The area has some steep terrain including hills and a tall berm. There are no obvious signs of trauma. The Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office will determine cause of death.

The Buckeye Police Department extends our sincerest condolences to the Tucker family. We also thank the community, law enforcement partners and media partners who played a role in resolving this search and bringing closure to Hope’s loved ones.

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