Family of Rachel Cooke without closure during the holidays
By: Kelly Kyle and Web Staff
The search for Rachel Cooke continues almost a year after her disappearance.
Her family and friends are left without the closure they need during the holidays.
"We need closure, it's not fair to Rachel's family or anybody. We'd like to know where she is," Louise Cooke, Rachel's grandmother, said.
Though Louise says this Christmas will be hard, she still recalls how wonderful last year was during this time.
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"Rachel, Joanne, Janet and Robert didn't think they were going to be here this Christmas and they are every year and when they came bouncing in they were so happy they were just bubbling over," Louise said.
Rachel's father, Robert, admits the holidays will never be the same.
"Rachel came home on the 21st of December of last year and we're almost there and it was a really happy time period. This year it's totally different. We haven't put any decorations up. We don't have a tree up. To me, it's just not worth celebrating," Robert said.
Robert said he just wants to help his wife, Janet, and his daughter, Joanne, get through the next month without Rachel.
"Janet is having a hard time. I think as the time goes on it's worse for her. Joanne has been really strong. She's got a good group of friends and a boyfriend that have been supporting her," Robert said.
Robert said Sunday's search near I-35 was partially from a tip and partially as a training mission. The results of those searches are always difficult for the Cooke family.
"It's hard because we've had many, many cases where we've thought this is the lead that would pan out and so far none of them have," Robert said.
Lisa Fielder has been working with the Cookes since Rachel disappeared Jan. 10. She says now, more than ever, people should try to reach out to the Cookes to help them through the holidays.
"My advice to the friends and family and people who care about Rachel and her parents is to get in touch with them and ask how they're doing and talk about Rachel and give them the chance to talk about Rachel," Fielder said.Since Rachel loved music so much, a concert will be held in her honor and will also benefit Texas County Search and Texas EquuSearch.
The "Music for the Missing" concert will be held Saturday, Jan. 18, 4 p.m. – 10 p.m. at the Outlaws Dance Hall in Liberty Hill.