Mother of killed teen speaks out

"It was just the worst time of my life."

A mother, still grappling with the devastating death of her teen son.

"I don't know how I'm getting through every second," Heather Ferguson told 11 News.

After not knowing where her son was all day, Ferguson got call parents hope will never come: her son, 15-year-old Derek Greer, had been found dead alongside 16-year-old Natalie Partida on the side of the road just south of Fountain over the weekend. The El Paso County Sheriff's Office said they are aggressively investigating the deaths of the two teens.

"I saw the news thing about the missing bodies and then nobody knew where he was and I couldn't get ahold of him ... that's when it hit. Then I got the call.

"You never think it's the last time you're going to see your kid," she went on. "It was just normal, he was just talking on the phone, said, 'I love you, Mom,' played with his baby brother and sister for a minute.

She said Derek was a happy kid and a great big brother to his four younger siblings.

"Happy, funny, outgoing, loving, sweet, great big brother, wonderful son, good friend."

Natalie's family was not available for an interview but her cousin Tiffany Montoya sent 11 News a statement:

"Natalie was a very loving, caring girl. She always knew how to make anyone laugh no matter what the situation was ... I also want everyone to remember Nat as a loving person who loved her family very much and I want her to know that one of these days we will find justice for her and Derek."

Ferguson said the two families have been leaning on each other.

"Just supporting each other through this tough time because it's just an unbelievable and unimaginable experience," she said.

Two young lives were taken and two families are hoping for justice.

Ferguson had a message for the killer, "I never get to see my kid have kids, or graduate high school or any of the thing. Just come forward. At least you can still live your life. My kid can't and neither can Natalie.

"I just don't understand what any kid could have done -- any person for that matter -- to deserve for their life to be gone forever and not get to live a future.

The sheriff's office says they are investigating the teens' deaths as a homicide.

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