Joplin family's search for mother ends

After a week of uncertainty, the Hayward family learned the fate of their mother, Dee Ann Hayward. The Hayward family's search for Dee Ann, the mother of three last seen leaving to pick up pizza for her son's graduation party has ended. The family received a call last night confirming her death, ending a week of frustration and agony.

Robert, Caleb and their 14-year-old sister Christina had been looking for their mother, handing out flyers with her picture.

A few days ago, CBS News correspondent Ben Tracy interviewed the children as they looked for their mother. Christina said she missed her mother's laughter. "She always makes us laugh," Christina said.

Just before the twister tore through Joplin, Dee Ann went to town to pick up Sunday dinner at Pizza Hut. She was never seen or heard from again.

Photos: Tornado destruction in Joplin, Mo.
Photos: Joplin tornado aftermath

"They were going to have a graduation party for my brother, so she went to get pizza and just never came home,'' said Robert Hayward.

The kids did not find their mother - but they did find her car, battered with a missing roof and seat headrest. The driver's side seatbelt was still buckled, and a shoe was on the dashboard.

Now that the uncertainty is over, the Hayward family can start mourning the death of their loved one.