Family, Friends Shocked Over Death Of L.I. Mom

NORTH PATCHOGUE, N.Y. (CBS 2) -- The family of a missing Long Island mother, who was found dead in a wooded area, is filled with grief and disbelief.

The woman's husband was again brought in for questioning by police.

Wearing an NYPD sweatshirt, Nicole Tessa's husband, Joseph Jones, returned home after speaking to authorities, reports CBS 2's Jennifer McLogan.

"She's a caring, loving mother who did all that she could for her children," Jones said. "As soon as I find anything out from detectives, then I can talk to you guys."

Tessa's twin sister is uncertain. Her family said their lives have been spinning out of control since the missing mother was found dead.

"Everyone's hysterical, they can't believe it's happening," the couple's landlord said.

The cadaver dog and K-9 units that discovered the body were back at the scene, retracing their steps in the woods and searching for more evidence. Detectives were going door-to-door, asking neighbors what they saw and heard.

Nicole Tessa, 31, was last seen alive on Friday. Missing person fliers went up, and friends and family were left to hope and pray.

Tessa's body was brought out of the woods on a stretcher on Tuesday, six hours after her husband appealed for her safe return on CBS 2.

"I just want you to come home. Call, let us know you're alright, let your family know you're alright," Jones said. "Please, honey. I love you, I miss you, just come home."

Jones told CBS 2 that he and Nicole had a verbal dispute in the driveway on the night she went missing – an argument that was loud enough for their landlord to hear it.

"Her and her husband were having an argument, and they were going back and forth, from inside to outside," the landlord said.

Neighbors wondered if the couple's four-month marriage was rocky.

"Once in a while there's commotion going on, sometimes police came," neighbor John Draper said.

"You don't argue with somebody and then he leaves, and she leaves, and she's found later on in the woods dead," neighbor Joseph Palomeque said. "You know, it doesn't make any sense."

Jones said his wife had stormed out before during arguments, but never without her seizure medication, and that she always came back to their three-year-old son. This time, she left without her medicine and her cell phone, he said.

Now, Jones said, he's just waiting for the autopsy.

"I got my son inside asking me what is going on, why are you so sad," Jones said. "I don't even know how to explain to him. I can barely sleep, I can't eat."

Police say they have no suspects at this time, but that the investigation is ongoing.

Jones said he is cooperating fully with the investigation, and is more eager than anyone for a quick resolution to the heartbreaking tragedy.