Jacque Waller's sister expresses 'shock' at news of remains found

"Just shock" is what Jacque Waller's sister, Cheryl Brenneke, said she felt when she heard her sister's body had been found earlier this week.

"You anticipate how you're going to feel for two years," Brenneke said. "You just can't prepare yourself, really. You just can't."

Brenneke, who has custody of Jacque and Clay Waller's 7-year-old triplets, Maddox, Avery and Addison, told the children the news Thursday morning -- "that was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life," she said.

The Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney's Office confirmed in a news release Thursday that Jacque Waller's body had been found, but disclosed no other details.

Brenneke said the children seemed stunned, but OK.

"They're just resilient little kids. We'll just love them and protect them, and they'll be fine and give them the best life they can with memories of their mommy as much as we can."

Jacque Waller has been missing since June 1, 2011. Police have charged her husband, Clay Waller, with first-degree murder, and a trial date is set for September. Authorities believe Clay Waller killed Jacque Waller while they were finalizing their divorce. Before the murder charge, Clay Waller was sentenced to federal prison for threatening Brenneke on the Internet.

FILE - This undated file photo provided by Ruby Rawson shows Jacque Sue Waller, right, and her husband Clay Waller. Clay Waller, 41, was charged with first-degree murder in the death of Jacque on Monday, April 23, 2012. (AP Photo/Ruby Rawson)

Brenneke said the triplets said on Thursday they wanted to play in their baseball game that night and keep going to summer school.

The family plans to hold a memorial service or funeral as early as next week. The timing, according to Brenneke, will depend on when authorities release Jacque Waller's body.

Stan and Ruby Rawson show drawings of their family tree made one of Jacque Waller's triplets Tuesday, May 29, 2012 in their home near Bonne Terre, Mo. (Fred Lynch)

Brenneke said the family's hands are tied as far as releasing any more information about the circumstances of the discovery of the body. She did say the family was told to expect a plea from Clay Waller in the murder case, but didn't know authorities were going to recover Jacque Waller's body.

Brenneke expressed gratitude to law enforcement, Cape Girardeau County assistant prosecuting attorney Angel Woodruff and Bobby Sherrill, a childhood friend of Jacque Waller who lead numerous searches.

"We just knew that they would end up bringing her to us one day," Brenneke said. "We are happy that if it had to happen, it did with these people in our corner."

Laura Long Helbig, a family friend who has acted as its spokeswoman, also emailed the following statement Thursday from Jacque Waller's family:

"It is with a heavy heart I deliver this message. Our daughter, mother, sister and friend has been found. God has planned everything well to place us in this very moment. God guided the law enforcement officials, searchers, K-9s and most of all the prayers being sent to the prison to weigh heavily on Clay's mind. We thank everyone of you who has supported us and assisted us in this terrible nightmare. We have no arrangements as of yet but we will be able to lay our Jacque Sue to rest ... finally. God Bless you all!"

Long Helbig also said information regarding Jacque Waller's discovery would not come from the family and inquiries should go to the prosecutor's office.

Jacque Waller worked for Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield before her disappearance and her co-workers often joined her family and friends for searches and vigils held in her honor. Many plan to participate in a second annual 5K run and family walk set for 8:30 a.m. Saturday at Shawnee Park in Cape Girardeau. The event raises money for a fund for the Waller children and the Safe House for Women.

eragan@semissourian.com

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