July 14, 2008

A statement from Jesse James, father of Holley Wimunc:

"It is with profound sadness that our family just received the news from authorities that our beloved daughter Holley is dead. Since last Thursday's shocking news about Holley's burned apartment and her missing person status, our family throughout the country has nonetheless been holding onto a thin thread of hope that she would be found alive.

Today, that thread of hope broke as her body was discovered.

Holley was a pround St. Ambrose University graduate, excited about both her chosen field of nursing and her career in the U.S. Army.

She was an even more proud mother of her wonderful son and daughter whose activities and personalities never failed to give her joy.

At the end of this journey of sadness, we wish to thank the many, many people who have assisted us so quickly and competently in the search. We are grateful to those people in Dubuque, Iowa, at the University of Dubuque, and others around the country for their prayers for her safe return. Those prayers and support will help us to make it through this impossibly tough time."