Mandy Matula’s family traveled to the Mississippi River Park where Mandy’s remains were found over the weekend. After months since she disappeared, at least her family now finally has some closure.
The Matula family attended the park with friends on Monday, to build a memorial for Mandy Matula. She went missing on May 1, having left home without her phone or purse. She was with her ex-boyfriend David Roe, at the time.
Detectives now believe that Roe murdered Matula on that night with a single bullet to the head and then buried her in a shallow grave 87 miles from her home.
Steven Matula, Mandy’s brother, attended the family visit to the park, where he spoke to Fox 9 News: “The sun was out, shining through the trees. The site where Mandy was found — very peaceful and soothing,” he said.
Steven added: “If you were to walk there now, you’d see a little trail. You’ll see balloons. We carved a number 14 into one of the pine trees,” explaining that the number 14 was the number she proudly wore playing for the University of Minnesota-Duluth softball team.
The memorial dedication to Mandy Matula was, understandably, an emotional one and was attended not only by friends and family, but also by Eden Prairie Police Chief Rob Reynolds.
Chief Reynolds himself was apparently visibly moved at the event and had a hard time holding back tears: “Many people had connections to her,” he told the press. “I know that my family alone had three different connections to Mandy.”
Reynolds went on to explain that at this time David Roe, who took his own life after the murder of Mandy, was the only suspect in the case. Nevertheless, the case file will remain open and it may still be submitted to the county attorney
Wayne Matula, Mandy’s father said: “We lost a daughter; we lost a sister. It’s going to take time for healing, to totally understand the circumstances of what has transpired.”
The Mandy Matula funeral will be held on November 9 at the Grace Church in Eden Prairie.
[Photo Credit: Star Tribune]
