MADISON, Wis. -- A longtime friend of Jean Zapata is satisfied that Eugene Zapata was arrested in the case.

Peg Weekley, of Oklahoma City, told WISC-TV, that for the past year and a half she's prayed every night for justice in the case of her friend's disappearance.

Weekley was the person who helped crack the case back open in 2004 with a phone call to Madison police.

The call led investigators to a Juneau County landfill where cadaver dogs detected the smell of human remains.

No body was found, but there was enough evidence to bring about charges.

"When they tell me they have found the bones, there's this one-half of one percent of me that's trying to tell me it's a huge mistake and she's alive and well living in Australia," said Weekley. "But in my heart I know she's gone."

WISC-TV spoke with one of Eugene Zapata's friends on Monday night who said he was surprised at the arrest.

The man said Eugene was frustrated with his wife's disappearance in 1976, but wasn't too worried. He said during the couple's separation there were many times she wouldn't come home until the next morning.

Police weren't notified until Jean didn't show up for work for several days.

News 3's Linda Eggert spoke with Eugene Zapata last February.

He denied connections to his ex-wife's disappearance, but couldn't elaborate under the advice of his attorney.

Zapata's current wife in Nevada, Joan, told WISC-TV she's shaken up by the recent events, but otherwise had nothing to say.