Last Seen: Sonya Tukes’ family seeks answers after 20+ years

TENNILLE, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - More than two decades after 22-year-old Sonya Tukes disappeared from Tennille, her family said they still have no answers about what happened to her.

Tukes was last seen on Mother’s Day in 2004. Her mother, Susan Rogers, and her brother, Aric Tukes, spoke about her disappearance.

Last night Tukes was seen

Rogers said Tukes spent that evening with her before returning to her sister’s home in Tennille. The family said that sometime later that night, Tukes received a phone call, walked outside and was never seen again.

Her boss called the next morning to say she did not come to work.

“He knows she’s a hard worker. She hadn’t showed up at work,” Rogers said.

Rogers described her daughter as a good mom.

“She was a good mom ... a friendly person, a hard-working person. She get along with anybody and everybody,” Rogers said.

Family continues to search

More than 20 years have passed with no leads. Aric Tukes said he thought the family would have an answer by now.

“I thought we probably got an answer by now,” he said.

The family said they have conducted their own searches over the years, walking railroad tracks, woods and backroads.

“We searched the bridge, the woods ... we walked the railroad track. We did some searches,” Aric Tukes said.

Rogers said that when she sees her daughter’s picture on Facebook, “I just put my phone down.”

“They’ve been a long journey. I hope it comes up soon,” Rogers said.

Aric Tukes said he thinks about his sister every day.

“I think about it every day. I ain’t the same person I was since she went missing,” he said.

Investigation remains active

The GBI confirmed that Tukes’ disappearance remains an active investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Eastman or the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.