Read more: Local, State, Crime, Missing Woman, Mary Hucks, Colorado Springs
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- The case of a missing Colorado Springs woman has ended in tragedy.
Mary Hucks, 59, was reported missing Wednesday. Police say she was last seen late Monday night in Cripple Creek. They say she used her ATM card there.
But no one had any idea where Hucks was until Saturday. Earlier, a state trooper noticed tire tracks in the snow going over a cliff next to Highway 67. When he investigated, he found the car everyone has been looking for days.
Investigators say the car likely slid off the road during slick conditions Monday night. Soon after state troopers found the car it became obvious it was the Hucks.
"I was still trying to hold onto that hope but what can you do when you get news like that," said Mary Hucks' daughter, Latoya Hucks.
The Hucks family began gathering Saturday afternoon as news of Mary Hucks' death spread.
It’s still not clear if she died from the crash or from exposure to the frigid weather.
“I hope that she didn’t suffer. I hope that she wasn’t too scared when the time came," Latoya Hucks said.
Investigators say Mary Hucks was probably gambling in Cripple Creek Monday evening and crashed while driving home.
"She got to do her favorite thing before she got out of here so that’s a good thing. At least she was smiling at some point that day,” Latoya Hucks said.
It’s been a brutal week for the Hucks family. A brother of Mary Hucks died three days ago.
"It sucks that I got to bury my mother and my uncle in the same week but at least they are together," said Latoya Hucks.
She said her mother was always smiling and had an easygoing way about her, something she hopes to carry with her in her mom's memory.
“The last thing we said to each other was 'I love you' so I’m happy with that at least,” said Latoya Hucks.
The Hucks family says funeral arrangements are pending.
