WE KNEW IT WOULD BE THE END RESULT, ALTHOUGH WE PRAYED FOR A MIRACLE...

The "person of interest" that Citrus County authorities wanted to speak with in connection with the disappearance of nine year old Jessica Lunsford three years ago, John Evander Couey, has admitted to abducting and murdering the child.

Couey, a registered sexual offender, had lived in a mobile home within eyeshot of the Lunsfords. He admitted the deed to Citrus County investigators while he was being given a polygraph by the FBI in Augusta, Georgia.

We wanted to hear the news that somehow, someway, Jessica would be found alive and returned to her family. But after three weeks with no word, I'm sure that reality set in for many of us that this would be the end result.

UPDATE: Saturday, 19 March, 10:38AM: Searchers found Jessica's body in a densely wooded area only about 150 yards from her home.

"Everyone heard me say, time after time, that she would be home," Lunsford said, his eyes hidden behind dark black sunglasses. "She's home now."

Amen.

I4J sends it's deepest condolences to the Lunsford family. I pray that now they will find some peace at this extremely painful time, as well as the love and support of their friends, neighbours, and communities, as well as the knowledge that Jessica is, in the truests sense of the word, home.

May justice eventually be served, and may Almighty God have mercy on the soul of John Evander Coudy.