CENTER TWP — The parents of the Butler woman police believe was slain by her boyfriend expressed their grief and shock at what has happened, but fondly recalled her positive impact on their family.

Lisa Barto of Center Township said her daughter, Melissa Barto, is sorely missed.

“It's just so unbearable to take right now,” Lisa Barto said. “You never want to bury your own daughter.”

She said her daughter was a joy to be around.

“She was pretty, funny, had a sense of humor,” Lisa Barto said.

She repeated what her husband, Dan, said about their daughter. “She had a sparkle in her eye,” Lisa Barto said.

The family has not yet told Melissa Barto's 6-year-old daughter that her mother is not coming home.

State police Sunday arrested Ishemer D. Ramsey, 21, who is accused of fatally shooting Melissa Barto Thursday.

Police still are searching for Melissa Barto's body.

Lisa Barto said her daughter began dating Ramsey late last year. He visited the Bartos with their daughter on Christmas.

Lisa Barto said the couple broke up at one point.

“She told me he was controlling,” she said.

They subsequently resumed dating.

“He came to our house for Easter dinner,” Lisa Barto said.

Aside from her daughter's comment, Lisa Barto had no idea what lay ahead.

“He was very nice,” she said about Ramsey. “He brought me flowers. He seemed genuine. We totally read him wrong.”

Her husband agreed.

Dan Barto described Ramsey, who is in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves, as polite.

“We thought she finally found somebody to spend her life with,” he said.

Lisa Barto said if Ramsey believed her daughter was cheating on him, he was mistaken.

When the Bartos called Ramsey to unlock their daughter's apartment, Lisa questioned him as to their daughter's whereabouts.

“I wanted some answers,” she said. “He said she got into some vehicle with a girl and guy.”

Lisa Barto said if that story was true, Ramsey could have followed the vehicle to ensure his girlfriend's safety.

She said Ramsey showed no sympathy for her daughter being missing.

“He had no emotion whatsoever,” Lisa Barto said. “Stone cold.”

The Bartos expressed concern that the authorities did not inform them about the details of the apparent murder before they were disclosed in court documents.

Police visited them Sunday morning to inform them of the arrest.

Dan Barto said graphic details of murders should be omitted in criminal complaints, which are public record, out of respect for the deceased and their families.

“I was irate,” he said. “Something actually needs to be done.”

However, the family is grateful for the efforts to solve the case.

“We want to thank the community and law enforcement,” Lisa Barto said.

Melissa Barto was a 2009 graduate of Butler High School. She subsequently attended classes at Butler County Community College.

Lisa Barto said her brother, Ryan, and his wife, Jen, of Butler also are impacted by the tragedy.

“They're totally devastated, too,” Lisa Barto said.

She described her children as having a fun sibling rivalry as they grew up together.

Melissa Barto worked for Miller's Quality Meats in Butler.

“She liked her job,” Lisa Barto said.

The company released the following press release about Melissa Barto: “Missy's loyalty, dedication, and brimming personality were exemplified in her hard work and infectious smile at Miller's Quality Meats.

“As a single mother, her positive attitude and outlook on life were refreshing and we are deeply saddened by the loss of our friend and co-worker.”

Dan Barto encouraged people whose friends are having similar trouble as their daughter had to reach out to those friends' parents before something tragic occurs.

“I wouldn't wish that on anyone,” he said.

Lisa Barto added people should use the resources provided by such organizations as the Victim Outreach Intervention Center (VOICe).