Family says Zoe Hastings liked to brighten everyone's day

DALLAS - For the first time the parents of the teenager found dead in a Lake Highlands creek bed are opening up and sharing stories about her life.

Zoe Hastings's parents did not sit down with the media for an interview, but made their own video. Jim and Cheryl Hastings said they want everyone to know their 18-year-old daughter was devoted to her faith. At the time of her murder, she was preparing for a mission.

“Last week on Friday she put a note out in our mailbox. It was a questionnaire for our mailman and it said, ‘Dear Mr. Mailman. I want to know about you. What’s your favorite drink? What’s your favorite candy bar?’ It was a couple of other things and she just wanted to like know things that she could give to him to brighten his day when he stopped by to drop off our mail. It’s really how she treated everyone,” her father said.

Zoe disappeared on her way to a church class Sunday evening. Her body was found the next morning in a creek near her wrecked minivan. Police said she died from obvious homicidal violence, but have not yet released details of her death or injuries.

Joseph Noriega told FOX 4 said he called for help after man pointed out the body. But, he said that man walked away before police arrived.

Police believe Zoe stopped at a Redbox outside the Walgreens on Garland and Peavy Roads shortly after she left home at 4:45 p.m. Sunday. She never made it to her 5 p.m. class.

Anyone with information has been asked to call the Crime Stoppers tip line at 214-373-TIPS (8477).  Oak Farms Dairy is offering up to $10,000 in the case.

Funeral services for Zoe are Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Lake Highlands Drive.