DETROIT – Jennifer Scavone worked as a waitress at Bouzouki Lounge in Detroit's Greektown. The 32-year-old Sterling Heights woman never made it home to her fiance and two children after leaving work early Saturday morning.
She was found dead about 3:40 a.m. Saturday inside her sports utility vehicle on the shoulder of northbound Interstate 75 near Mack Avenue. There were bullet holes on the driver's side of her SUV.
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Heather Raye is the manager at Bouzouki's. She spoke to Scavone as they were leaving work that morning.
"We said our goodbyes. She told me to be careful, and then she got into her truck and pulled away," said Raye. "A lot of the girls and staff in general are extremely upset. It shakes you, knowing that she left work. Of course our first concern was to make sure it wasn't work-related in any way -- a disgruntled customer or somebody out on the street -- and it wasn't."
Raye says Scavone always lived in fear for her life. She was involved in a bitter custody dispute with the father of her oldest child. Macomb County court records show the dispute has been going on since 2003. Police say they are looking into that.
Police also are talking to Scavone's family, friends and coworkers.
"We knew that she had problems with some people outside of her work environment, but she was really good at keeping her personal life personal and her professional life professional. She always came in with a smile and upbeat, and happy and ready to brighten your day," said Raye.
Local 4 tried to contact the father in the custody battle but he could not be reached. The last time they were in court was in January. They were due back in court in March.
Detroit police have not made any arrests as the investigation continues.
Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers at 800-SPEAK-UP.