ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. — The family of Melissa Aguilar, the woman who went missing in Holly Hill last August, are speaking out as they are now grappling with the pain of her identified remains.
The remains of the 49-year-old were discovered earlier this month not far from her home, and her family expressed frustration over the lack of information during the months-long wait for news about her disappearance.
"She was indescribable, she was a mom, a sister, an aunt, a grandmother, friend, she's been a wife – she's been that shoulder you want when you cry, that hug you needed," said her sister, Sarah Shipman. "If you were to write down great things about her, I think we would lose a national forest due to paper."
Aguilar, who had moved to Holly Hill five years ago to be closer to her family, was last heard from on August 17th. The following day, a missing persons report was filed, prompting extensive search efforts by law enforcement, including officers, police dogs, and drones.
"The first week of her missing, it was heads turning disbelief, and then after the searches, the first week and things calmed down police-wise, it then turned into 4 months of a nightmare," Shipman revealed.
The Orangeburg County Sheriff's Office held a press conference on Tuesday evening, outlining multiple tips received during the investigation. However, the family claims they were kept in the dark about any developments.
"We were getting nothing from nobody, and we deserved answers," Shipman asserted.
On January 4th, Agulair's remains were found near her home, and the following day, they were transferred to the Orangeburg County Coroner's Office.
During the family's quest for closure in the woods, they stumbled across more of her remains.
"There's something unimaginable about even knowing that there are human remains, but to know they are of your sister and it took my family to be on their hands and knees looking for pieces of her to complete here, infuriates me," Shipman expressed.
As the family continues to seek answers, Shipman has a message for others facing similar situations.
"Don't take the no's for answers, don't stop fighting for who you love, and don't give up until you bring them home," she adds.
The Orangeburg County Sheriff says they would investigate further if there was foul play, there are no formal suspects at this time but he did say there is a person of interest but didn’t go into further details.