Family struggles to overcome grief

Debby Schamber
The Orange Leader

July 07, 2009 08:02 pm

— For the family of Theresa Foskey, who was brutally murdered in September 1995, the suspect’s arrest is only part journey to seek justice and peace in their lives.
“I have waited nearly 14 years for the person responsible for stabbing and butchering my daughter to be apprehended,” said Foskey’s mother, Laura Badeaux, in a statement.
Badeaux said she is confident the suspect in custody was involved in the crime. James Edward Holden,41, of Deweyville, was arrested July 2 on capital murder charges in connection with Foskey’s, 28, murder.
“I know justice will be done one day,” Badeaux added.
She stated it was the new set of eyes from the Texas Rangers who looked at the case which helped arrest the suspect. Badeaux wants to thank everyone involved in the case over the years.
“My family prayed, wished and hoped this case would move forward,” she said.
My family has endured significant hardship over the years waiting for this day to come, Badeaux said.
“The last 14 years have been awful,” she said while reflecting on the wait. “Not a day went by that I didn’t think of her.”
Holidays, birthdays and anniversaries are a nightmare and will remain so for the rest of my life. Through it all, she said her family never gave up on the case. I will not rest until I see justice served for my daughter, she said. Although she also added, “I can only hope no other parent will have to endure this type of pain. As a mother, I regret I wasn’t able to be there for her on the night she was murdered.”
Life without her is full of torment and blame.
For the Mahfouz family, life has gone on. Theresa Foskey has two grandchildren she never had the chance to see, much less to see her own daughters grow up to become young women. Her daughters Laura Lee has two children of her own and is now 23 years old, while Amanda Judith is 19 years old.  
Foskey’s sister, Tessy Mahfouz, is also still dealing with her feelings after losing what she calls her “best friend.” The sisters were 23 months apart in age and were inseparable from the start. Even as they reached adulthood the sisters were close.
“Distance didn’t matter,” Mahfouz said.
One constant reminder of Foskey’s death are the nights filled with nightmares.
Mahfouz’s life still feels the hole left in her heart following the murder. Now, following the arrest of Holden, she says she feels “numb.”
However, she vows to be there in support of her mother when Holden goes to trial.
Foskey is described my her mother as a happy, giving person and loved by many.
Badeaux lives with her memories of her daughter, but there are some she would rather forget.
Badeaux was at her beauty salon when she told a neighbor of Foskey’s to give her daughter a message to call her later. It was the neighbor, however, who called back — telling Badeaux something was terribly wrong since there were several police cars at the Bayou Shadows trailer park where Foskey lived. The park was located near the intersection of Highways 62 and 87 and has since been done away with.
Investigators reported making a gruesome discovery inside Foskey’s home, as blood covered numerous surfaces inside the residence. Although no body was found in the trailer, it was evident to investigators that someone had been murdered inside the small mobile home.
Several days later, Foskey’s body parts were found in the Sabine River. Divers pulled them from the murky waters. Badeaux remains filled with emotion over never seeing her daughter again and being forced to have a closed casket funeral.
Foskey’s family struggles to work through their emotions. However, Badeaux said she hopes the state does seek the death penalty during Holden’s trial if he is found guilty.

Debby Schamber is a reporter for the Orange Leader. She can be reached at 409-883-3571 ext. 2603 or at dschamber@orangeleader.com.

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