How 3 daughters of Twin Cities nurse are honoring her legacy after her death
A family that was celebrating three graduates is now grappling with tragedy, after police found the body of nurse Jessica Omoke the day after she was reported missing in Maple Grove, Minnesota.
After nearly a week without their rock, the Omokes remember how their mother made the world a better place and was proud of her Kenyan heritage.
"She just enjoyed life a lot," said Rachael Omoke, Jessica's daughter.
"At church she'd be the loudest singing. She'd get up, march around, we'd always know my mom's singing. Her loud alto," said Silvia Omoke, Jessica's other daughter.
Jessica Omoke was a nurse at Abbott Northwestern, along with her husband James.
"It's gonna be tough. But we have God," said James Omoke-Onserio, Jessica's husband.
It's a career that runs through the family; Kezia Omoke, the youngest, is about to graduate from Cooper High School and will enter the University of Minnesota's nursing program.
"It's very rare that you have a family where all three children are graduating at the same time," said James Omoke-Onserio.
Jessica Omoke's twins, Silvia and Rachael, both graduated the same day they heard their mother was no longer alive.
"It was really tough, I can say. Just seeing how everything unfolded," said Silvia Omoke.
"I'm proud of all of them," said James Omoke-Onserio when talking about his daughters.
Hundreds gathered Wednesday evening at a vigil to show their support for the Omoke family. The Minnesota Nurses Association shared Jessica Omoke's story online.
"Our community is amazing," said Rachael Omoke.
The tight-knit family is learning now how to navigate their new reality.
"We're left continuing, moving on every day without our mother. We're really going to need all the support that we can," said Rachael Omoke.
"Her legacy will just continue on within us," said Keziah Omoke.
Crystal Police say they are investigating. They do not believe foul play was involved.
An online fundraiser has been set up to support the family.