Victim Zoe Hastings
Dallas Police Wednesday held a press conference to update the public regarding the Zoe Hastings murder case.
Zoe, 18, was killed sometime between Sunday night and Monday morning, when she was discovered by neighbors in a Lochwood creek bed. Zoe’s parents began searching for her Sunday evening when she did not show up for a missionary class at the family’s Lake Highlands area Mormon church. Upon discovery of her body, police confirmed “homicidal violence” and launched a manhunt for her killer.
1. Attend Thursday’s gathering: Zoe’s family has organized an event, set for tomorrow, Thursday, at 5 p.m. at Norbuck Park, Northwest Highway and Buckner with a two-fold agenda. It will memorialize Zoe and allow friends and family to support one another in their grief. Zoe — graduate of Booker T. Washington High School, a lifeguard at the White Rock YMCA, and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints — enjoyed a wide network of friends and associates.
The event also is a call to action for members of the public to help canvas the area around the crime scene. Volunteers will go to residences and businesses in the neighborhood to help police collect information from anyone who may have seen something pertinent to the case.
“We will be assisting the family in this,” says a Dallas police spokesperson.
2. If you saw something, say so: Police released new information about Zoe’s whereabouts the night she disappeared. They say she probably went to Walgreens to drop off a Redbox movie before heading to the church. Anyone who was at the Old Lake Highlands area Walgreens (Peavy at Garland) between 4:30 and 5 p.m. Sunday are asked to contact the DPD homicide detectives at 214.671 .3584.
Did you see this van Sunday night? Police need to know.
“We want to see if … they’ve seen Zoe, the van or any persons of interest,” a police spokesperson told reporters.
A $10,000 reward also is on the table for anyone with information leading to an arrest.
3. Donate money: Family members have launched a fundraiser to assist the Hastings family. Zoe was the oldest of five siblings. Her father is an artist and teacher at Merriman Park Elementary in the nearby Lake Highlands area. He illustrated a book that has raised thousands of dollars for charity over the years and the family is overall active and well-known among members of the East Dallas community.
