A family's worst fears are confirmed. Their missing loved one was brutally killed and her body dumped. Wednesday, they waited for investigators to tell them who did this and why.

A bus driver passing by farmland off Dairy Lane spotted a female's body on Tuesday afternoon. Elizabeth Fontenot, 18, had been missing since about 10 o'clock the night before.

"I prayed that if she was still alive that she would come home and if not, that she'd be found," said Fontenot. The vehicle she had been driving, which was registered to her mother was found Tuesday morning abandoned and burned off Pine Point Road. It was only about three miles from where her body was discovered.

"This is being investigated as a homicide," said Trp. Stephen Hammons. Wednesday, her mother calmed herself by rocking, trying to come to terms with the reality that her baby, the youngest of four children, was gone.

Fontenot said her daughter didn't have any known enemies. She was a happy girl who had a boyfriend and worked for a Mamou nursing home. "She was jolly and happy and she always had a smile on her face and played with the kids and she loved people," said Fontenot.

Liz was looking forward to her upcoming birthday on July 18. It was her favorite day of the year. "She always wanted cake, a party and to be with her friends," said Fontenot. Sadly, she'll never celebrate another one.

Now the only thing the family can hope for, is justice for her killer. "Just turn yourself in, do the right thing," said Fontenot.

Wednesday, State Police investigators were back out at the scene where her body was found. They were also at her home, sifting through anything in her bedroom that might be evidence.

The Coroner's office is conducting an autopsy to determine a cause of death. Meanwhile, her family is making funeral arrangements with Ardoin funeral home, and hoping to get Liz's body back Thursday.

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