A family was sickened after their cat was found dead and mutilated.

They believe a twisted individual tortured and killed their pet. The family showed us pictures, but they're too graphic to share.

Pets feel like family, but Molly Queen says her cat Bootsy was even more important to her.

"He helped me through suicide stuff, just depression all around," she said.

"It was a time in my life when I wasn't able to be there for her, so she sought help through an animal," Molly's mother, Rachel Queen, said, "and that animal replaced me, and it's very sad that something she loved so much has to be taken from her."

The cat went missing from her family's home in Wheelersburg a week ago.

Tuesday, her grandpa was driving when he saw Bootsy and another cat dead on Hayport Road, just a mile from home.

Upon closer look, they say it was clear the deaths were no accident.

"He was in pieces," Molly said. "He was cut in pieces. They were both dismembered."

The family says the sheriff's department told them it looks like the cats had been frozen before they were cut up, because there were no blood stains.

"I have so much anger and hate in my heart for whoever did this," Molly said.

Molly says her cat wore a collar with the home address listed on it. That collar was found with the cat's remains.

They're terrified someone close to home is capable of something so heinous and worried what they might do next.

"To think someone could just cut apart an animal like that and have no remorse whatsoever, I don't know what's going to happen," Molly said. "I don't walk outside alone anymore."

"I just want closure for my children knowing they are scared to walk in their community when they should not be scared," Rachel said.

The family says one of their neighbor's cats is missing, and they're hoping that one didn't suffer the same fate.