Missing Franklin woman's children await answers on 2-year anniversary of her disappearance

NOW: Missing Franklin woman’s children await answers on 2-year anniversary of her disappearance
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FRANKLIN, Wis. (CBS 58) -- It's been two years since a Franklin grandmother disappeared without warning, and her family's trusting in the system, that justice will be served.

Two years later, the couple's home remains occupied by Sandra Eckert's husband. Neighbors see him from time to time, but the mystery of what happened to her haunts those who live on the block.

"It's really hard to kind of be in this waiting game," said Kelsey Eckert, Sandra's daughter.

As this sad anniversary passes, justice has not come for Sandra Eckert's children, Kelsey and Wesley Jr.

"You almost kind of have to respect the process, but sometimes it's tough waiting for that," said Wesley Eckert.

Eckert, a beloved mother and grandmother, disappeared March 26, 2021. A month later, her husband, Wes, spoke at a vigil for her.

Court documents revealed difficulty with Eckert's stepson, a troubled marriage and a cellphone ping at the home of Sandra's brother-in-law the night she disappeared.

"But around 3:13 a.m. is when her phone stopped moving and was its last communication with a cellphone tower. And that was -- well it was at my uncle's house," said Wes Jr.

Eckert's phone and car remain missing. Private investigators say without a body, it's a tough case to solve. 

"You know the forensics, there's nothing here to really test. You've got no real physical evidence. What law enforcement hopes is that at some point, somebody else gets into trouble and wants to make a plea. Up to the district attorney whether they want to proceed at a circumstantial case. Most district attorneys do not like that because again, they can only be tried once under the Fifth Amendment," said Steve Spingola, a retired Milwaukee police lieutenant who also works for the TV show "Cold Justice."

Two years later, Wes Jr. stayed busy on the anniversary. Kelsey stayed close to her support network.

"Having church said in my mom's honor, like that all made my day go okay. It's like the random days you don't really see it coming. Like I'll be at the park with my son and there'll be other grandkids playing with my kid and I'll be crying behind my sunglasses because my son will never get to experience that," said Kelsey.

As the sun goes down on N. Cape Road, it's quiet. 

Eckert's son and daughter are reminding all there's a $50,000 reward they hope will get people talking. 

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