Body Found Near Home of Missing Police Dispatcher Dawna Natzke

Dec. 31, 2011— -- Authorities found a body today several miles from the Arkansas home of a police emergency dispatcher and mother of three who vanished days before Christmas.

Dawna Natzke of Hot Springs, Ark., was last seen eight days ago when she returned home after attending a friend's Christmas party.

The 46-year-old's live-in boyfriend reportedly told police that she was watching television alone when he went to bed around 11 p.m. It was the last time anyone saw her.

Two days later on Dec. 23 Natzke's son reported his mother missing.

On Christmas Eve day, police were notified that her car, a 1997 Ford Escort, was discovered completely charred in a remote part of Oauchita National Forest. There were no signs of Natzke.

The body was found about 5.5 miles from where Natzke's burned car was found, according to Garland County Sheriff's officials. The body was found by a search group member.

Police wouldn't confirm it was the missing woman's body, but they notified her family of the find.

"[The police] told us yes, they found a body, but it's not confirmed to be Dawna, but we all know," Debbie Shingler, Natzke's sister, told the Associated Press.

"They don't want to speculate anything until after the crime lab has done their investigation," Shingler said to the AP.

Authorities said the remains "will be sent to the crime lab for identification as well as determination of cause and a possible time of death."

"At this point, foul play is suspected in the death but there are no known suspects," Garland County Sheriff Lt. James "Corky" Martin said in an email.

Natzke has worked at the Hot Springs Village police department as an emergency dispatcher for the past six years.

"She's family, and we're doing everything we can do to find her," Lt. Ricky Middleton of the Hot Springs Village police told ABC News.

Police have come under fire for not beginning a search of the area where Natzke's car was found sooner.

It was not until the day after Christmas that the search of that area began. Police say it takes time to get dog teams in place.

"One of the keys is that the very minute you hear that someone is missing, whether they be an adult or a child, is you pull out all the stops to find them, because if they've been harmed, they may still be alive," Garrett said.

Although there has been an intensive search for Natzke this week, with dogs and police on horseback, there is no sign of her.

"She's a fantastic mother her children are better behaved than most teenagers you meet and that's really from my heart," Hella Cass, one of Natzke's neighbors, told ABC News Arkansas affiliate KATV. "We hope for a good outcome for the whole situation."