Officials: Jose Ferreira admits involvement in death of girl as her mother wonders: "Why'd he wait 33 years?"
MILWAUKEE — A 50-year-old man has been criminally charged, accused in the disappearance and death of a seventh-grade girl who went missing back in 1982. Carrie Ann Jopek's body was found under a neighbor's porch on the city's south side. Jopek's mother tells FOX6 News despite the suspect's admission in this case, she needs more answers.
Jose Ferreira Jr.
Jose Ferreira Jr. is charged with second degree murder/felony commission in this case.
"He did have intercourse with her while she was dead," Jopek's mother, Carolyn Tousignant said.
Tousignant tells FOX6 News she's disgusted and angered by what she's learned about her daughter's death.
Prosecutors say Ferreira and Jopek were at a house party, and they were about to go down into the basement when Jopek said: "I don't know if this is a good idea."
Carrie Ann Jopek
"She had second thoughts," Tousignant said.
Reports say that's when Ferreira looked at her sternly and said: "You are going downstairs" -- before pushing Jopek down the stairs and having "his way with her."
"Thought she was unconscious," Tousignant said.
After realizing her neck was broken, Ferreira then opened the basement door, grabbed a small shovel and buried Jopek underneath the neighbor's porch.
Carrie Ann Jopek's body found
A year later, Jopek's body was found by a carpenter doing construction work.
"I wanted to know. I always prayed to God -- 'let us find out who did it and why,'" Tousignant said.
Tousignant is finally getting some answers. Last week, Ferreira fessed up to his wife, who contacted police.
Carolyn Tousignant holds a photo of her late daughter, Carrie Ann Jopek
"I'm happy she did that," Tousignant said.
Ferreira then called authorities and admitted he was involved.
"Why'd he wait 33 years to do that, and say 'I did it?' I don't know why, unless she was haunting him or his conscious -- he couldn't handle it no more," Tousignant said.
Ferreira is being held on $200,000 cash bond. He has a preliminary hearing scheduled for next Tuesday, October 27th.
Carrie Ann Jopek