Isabella "Bella" Grogan-Cannella's mother, Tania Grogan, shared in an interview with FOX5 on Friday the ordeal the family has gone through ordeals since her eight-year-old daughter was found in a shallow grave near their home following on Wednesday her disappearance the day before. In an earlier report provided by the Bullhead City, AZ authorities, the child was said to have died from asphyxiation by strangulation. In addition, the primary suspect for Bella's death has been identified as a family frien, 26-year-old Justin Rector.

Like Us on Facebook

"Every parent needs to cherish their child every night before bedtime because you never know - anything can happen," Grogan shared. Prior to the disappearance, Bella's mother shared that she and her husband Ralph Foster went to Walmart on Monday night to buy snacks for their daughters. According to Grogan, the only person left in the house aside from their children was Foster's mother.

"We never saw Justin here. We thought he had already left. He had to have been outside the sliding glass door when we left," Grogan stated. The family has identified Rector as a close friend who had been staying with them at their home.

The victim's 10-year-old sister then alerted the couple on Bella's disappearance, stating that she could not find the eight-year-old after her trip to the bathroom. Grogan and Foster immediately went home after receiving the distressing call. "Panic, major panic. 'Where's my daughter?' I was screaming, shouting for her," the mother shared. Authorities were contacted by Foster at around 1:18 on Tuesday morning.

The investigation conducted by the police revealed that Rector's shoes matched the unique prints found near the area where Bella's body was found. In addition, the 26-year-old suspect was arrested while shoplifting in Walmart. Police said that Rector intended to steal clothes to change from those he used at the time of the murder.  

Grogan was bewildered upon learning of Rector's involvement. She said that the suspect had been a very close friend of the family, who was even entrusted to watch over her daughters several times before. "I trusted him with my life. My children are my life, and now one of them is gone and they want to take the other one from me," she said.

In recalling the family's earlier interactions with Rector, Grogan stated that the suspect had never shown any sign of aggression. However, she indicated that Rector's previous girlfriend filed police reports alleging him of throttling her pets. "Something triggered in his head, and he just got off on strangling, I guess. He strangled my daughter to death. That's how she died," Grogan declared.

A memorial service will be conducted for Bella on September 10 at 3:30 in the afternoon. It will be held at the park located outside the Bullhead Area Chamber of Commerce.

TagsIsabella "Bella" Grogan-Cannella, Tania Grogan, Justic Rector, Arizona, Ralph Foster, Bullhead City