Vigil To Celebrate Life Of NJ Mom Killed In Amber Alert

HIGHLAND PARK, NJ — A vigil will be held on Friday, July 23 to celebrate the life of Yasemin Uyar, 24, Rahway, who police say was killed by her ex-boyfriend Tyler Rios. Rios is also facing kidnapping charges of their 2-year-old son which set off an Amber Alert last week.

The vigil will be held at The Reformed Church of Highland Park at 19 S South Second Ave., in Highland Park at 6 p.m.

Attendees are asked to "wear bright attire as we are celebrating Yazzi's life," according to the flyer.

"I want her to be remembered in our community as a great friend, great sister, great aunt and a great mother," said Yasemin's mom Karen Uyar during a press conference Tuesday.

Read More: 'Her Voice Needs To Continue On': Slain Rahway Woman's Mom Speaks

Since Uyar's death, Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation elevating strangulation assault to a second-degree crime.

"The murder of Yasemin Uyar by a repeat domestic abuser was horrific. With this legislation, we will have the tools necessary to hold abusers accountable," said Murphy.

Yesterday I signed legislation elevating strangulation assault to a second degree crime.

The murder of Yasemin Uyar by a repeat domestic abuser was horrific. With this legislation, we will have the tools necessary to hold abusers accountable.https://t.co/mIeGUPuwPD pic.twitter.com/6mQ6ATvqgK
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) July 13, 2021

Tyler Rios, 27, of Highland Park is charged with first-degree kidnapping and first-degree murder in connection with the alleged abduction of 2-year-old Sebastian Rios and the death of 24-year-old Yasemin Uyar.

The race to find the mother and son began Friday when Sebastian Rios did not show up for daycare and Uyar did not arrive for work, according to Union County Assistant Prosecutor Robert Grady, who is prosecuting the case.

Authorities said Tyler Rios was identified as a suspect in the case after Sebastian Rios did not show up for daycare last Friday and Uyar did not arrive for scheduled work shifts, according to Union County Assistant Prosecutor Robert Grady, who is prosecuting the case. A welfare check was conducted on Uyar's home by members of the Rahway Police Department, but no one was found inside.

Shortly thereafter, the State Police issued an Amber Alert that was sent to privately owned cell phones, broadcast on electronic billboards along highways in New Jersey and beyond, and widely shared via social media. Read More: Amber Alert Canceled For 2-Year-Old Boy, Mom In Union County

Rahway Police checked Uyar's home, but no one was found inside. As a result, an Amber Alert was issued.

On Saturday at about 3 a.m., the Putnam County Sheriff's Office in Tennessee got a call from the Union County Prosecutor's Office in New Jersey about the alleged abduction and that Rios, the former boyfriend of Uyar and father of Sebastian, may or could harm them.

Rios was reportedly driving a silver 2018 Ford Fiesta.

At about 3:15 a.m., Monterey Police Officers, along with Putnam County Deputies, found the silver Ford Fiesta at the parking lot of the Bethel Inn Hotel located near I-40 just off exit 301 in Monterey, Tennessee, said Putnam County Sheriff's Office.

Authorities found Rios was staying in a room at the hotel. Police tried to convince Rios to give up and leave his room but authorities said he refused to do so. Police subsequently entered the hotel room by force taking Rios into custody, the sheriff's office said.

The 2-year-old toddler was also inside the room, unharmed, and was immediately taken by police and placed in a safe location and cared for, according to authorities.

Police searched both the hotel room and the Ford Fiesta. The car was taken to the FBI forensic crime lab for further forensic analysis.

Rios led authorities to a wooded area inside Putnam County, just inside Monterey city limits on highway 70, where the dead body of Uyar was found, according to authorities.

Rios, who is from Highland Park but was charged with an East Orange address, is currently being held in Tennessee without bond pending extradition back to New Jersey, after which a first appearance and detention hearing will be scheduled to take place in Union County Superior Court.

"I am very pleased with the professionalism of Putnam Sheriff Deputies, Monterey Police Officers and the cooperation with other agencies involved. I am thankful for the wellbeing and unharmed two-year-old. I would also like to express my sadness regarding the death of Yasemin Uyar and condolences to her family and friends," said Putnam County Sheriff Eddie Farris.

Uyar's mother, Karen, has been very public about her daughter's domestic violence troubles but reiterated that she is not just a victim. Read More: Mom In NJ, PA Amber Alert Found Dead In Tennessee

"While my family grieves the loss of Yasemin please remember she wasn't just a [domestic violence] victim. She was a Daughter, Sister, Mother, Aunt and Cousin. Her life will be Celebrated as her greatest gift to this world, Sebastian will still need ALL of our love and support," Karen Uyar said via social media.

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