Investigation Into Tulsa Mother's Disappearance To Continue Despite Suspect's Death

Lacie Lowry, News On 6

TULSA, Oklahoma – A man that killed himself Monday night after a standoff with Tulsa Police was not only a key witness in the murder for hire case of Neal Sweeney, but was also suspect in several unsolved cases.

4/5/2011 Related Story: Tulsa County DA: Sweeney Murder Trial To Continue Despite Death Of Key Witness

Police say those investigations will stay active, despite Allen Shields' death. In fact, they hope people who were afraid to come forward before, will do now.

One of those cases is the disappearance of Angie Tucker.

"We've got a picture in our living room of her, and her kids are with us," Jason Tucker, Angie's brother, said. "There's not a day I don't miss her."

Jason Tucker was close to his sister, Angie. Since her disappearance, he's helped care for her two children.

"Our family still doesn't have closure, his family do. It's still a mystery to us, what happened, why it had to happen to her?" he said.

Angie Tucker and Allen Shields were an on-again-off-again couple. But in 2007, the 34-year-old filed a protective order against Shields, accusing him of rape.

Prosecutors said there wasn't enough evidence to file charges, then the mother of two went missing and has never been seen again.

Detectives believe she's dead and they thought Shields was involved.

2/9/2010 Related Story: Man Charged With Tulsa Kidnapping Possibly Linked To 2007 Disappearance

"We had hoped that he would lead us toward some answers, obviously that's not possible, but we think that people will come forward now," Sergeant Mike Huff, with Tulsa Police, said.

That's already started. People were calling police at the scene Monday night, giving information about various cases involving Shields after he took his own life.

"This gives us a chance to go back to the community and say, 'look, we didn't forget about you, we are still working on this and we'll take this wherever it goes,'" Sergeant Huff said.

Sergeant Huff says police owe that to families, like the Tuckers, who have lost loved ones and live with unanswered questions.

"It's just the not knowing if she's dead or alive or where she's at or where she could be," Jason said. "Help me find my sister. Give our family closure so that we can at least bury her, or if not, whatever."

Allen Shields was never arrested for Tucker's disappearance and no charges were ever filed.

Tucker's daughter is now 17 years old and her son is 15 years old.  Their uncle says they are asking even more questions about their mother the older they get.