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

HIGHLAND PARK, NJ — At this point in her life, Union County mother Yasemin Uyar, 24, was finally strong enough to leave an abusive relationship and raise her 2-year-old son on her own. "Unfortunately things didn't work out the way she planned," said Uyar's mother, Karen who spoke publically on Monday afternoon.

Uyar, lovingly called "Yazzi" by her mom, met Rios at Highland Park High School when she was a freshman and he was a senior.

They dated on and off over the years and had a long history of domestic violence throughout.

"Her relationship with domestic violence and Tyler is a long relationship. People need to understand that it is not always the person who goes through this but the entire family. We as a family have been there for Yasemin through everything that was involved in their relationship," said Karen Uyar.

Karen described her daughter as a "great mom."

"She suffered from postpartum depression after she had Sebastian and suffered from horrible insomnia. But she was so thrilled to have Sebastian. He truly was her best friend. She went nowhere without him. She loves spending time with him, they always Facetimed together, texting or calling… She would take him to the parks," said Karen Uyar.

It was only recently that Yasemin Uyar enrolled Sebastian in daycare. Her mother said it was something Yasemin didn't want to do because she loved spending time with him. But she just got a job and was trying to get her life back in the right direction.

"She was just a brave young mom trying to live her life," said Karen Uyar.

As part of her recapturing her life, Yasemin moved to Rahway about four or five months ago for the sole purpose of distancing herself from Rios, said Karen Uyar.

However, she was about to move on Friday again because Rios found out where she lived, said Karen Uyar.

That same day, Sebastian Rios did not show up for daycare and Yasemin Uyar did not arrive for work. An Amber Alert was issued.

Uyar's body was found Saturday in Tennesse. Her ex, Tyler Rios, 27, of Highland Park, is charged with first-degree kidnapping in connection with the alleged abduction of 2-year-old Sebastian Rios, and additional criminal charges are pending in connection with the death of Uyar. Read More: Dad Charged With Kidnapping Son, Accused Of Killing Ex From NJ

Sebastian was picked up by his family and his grandma Karen Uyar said "he is doing really well."

"He was very quiet when I first picked him up. It was obvious he had a rough couple of days but within an hour he was back to his normal personality. He ate an entire box of breakfast sausage which is his favorite food," said Karen Uyar.

Karen Uyar stressed the importance multiple times that "Yasemin's voice needs to continue for the issue of domestic violence."

"I know in my heart she would want the message to get out there about supporting domestic violence policies. Her voice needs to continue on. Her life already has a purpose because we have Sebastian," said Karen Uyar. "But I feel like the purpose that God has taken her for is so the issue of domestic violence is supported and being there for people, having tougher laws is what Yasemin's voice is going to go for."

Karen Uyar thanked the police for never giving up on her daughter even when the cycle of violence continued. She would continuously go back to him but they never gave up.

"It gets frustrating but they have never stopped helping her. I really believe the police and FBI did as much as they could do," said Karen Uyar.

Karen Uyar is planning a candlelight vigil in her daughter's memory on Friday, July 23 at The Reformed Church of Highland Park at 19 S 2nd Ave. in Highland Park. A time has not yet been announced.

"I want her to be remembered in our community as a great friend, great sister, great aunt and a great mother," said Karen Uyar.

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