Family of missing Valley mother to gather for memorial

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - It's been a year since a Valley mother disappeared and tonight, her family will gather for a memorial.

Christine Mustafa's family will be gathering at Roadrunner Park, just off of State Route 51 and Cactus tonight, where they will be releasing butterflies and have a moment of prayer.

The 34-year-old mother was last seen on May 10, 2017 when she left her work at Walgreens. When Mustafa didn't show up to her shift the next day, she was reported missing.

Her live-in boyfriend, John Interval, was later arrested and charged with her murder. Interval pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.

Although her body has never been found, prosecutors believe they have a strong case against Interval. Family members say Mustafa was afraid of Interval and was planning on leaving him and filing a restraining order.

Police spent three months searching a Buckeye landfill for her body late last year.

Mustafa's family is still hopeful that she may be alive.

Interval is due in court for a hearing next week and is scheduled to go to trial in October.

Tonight's memorial for Mustafa will take place at 5:30 p.m.