New details emerge in Jessica Starr death, Elkhart County investigators ask for public tips
Posted: Sep 30, 2011 4:35 AM EDT | Updated: Nov 6, 2014 10:05 AM EDT
ELKHART, Ind. - Almost eight weeks have passed since 26-year-old Jessica Starr was murdered outside of the home she was staying at in Elkhart County, but now the Sheriff’s Department and Crime Stoppers said they are asking for the public’s help in the unsolved mystery.
Until Thursday, the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department would not release the details of Starr’s death, but ABC57 learned she was beaten and stabbed; the conflict started in a car in the driveway, and officers said they found her body in the backyard on August 8th, 2011.
For people like Rhonda Wilson, whose son lives across the street on Melody Lane, driving by the eerily empty home brings back the memories.
“You just get a real sad, spooky feeling. It’s not a good feeling,” said Wilson.
‘For Sale’ signs now hang in the windows of the vacant home, a stark contrast to the yellow tape and flashing lights that lit the streets that deadly August night.
Wilson, a mother of five, said she could not image losing a son or daughter, let alone knowing they were brutally murdered.
“It would just be awful, I mean you just don't get over it,” said Wilson.
But Wilson said one thing that would help bring closure, would be knowing the murder or murderers were behind bars for the crime.
“It’s been too long. You would have think they caught the person; I don’t understand how they couldn’t catch them.”
Her 17-year-old son, John Wilson, had the same baffled expression on his face when he realized how much time has passed since normally quiet neighborhood quickly unfolded into a crime scene.
But Wilson said one thing that would help bring closure, would be knowing the murder or murderers were behind bars for the crime.
“It’s been too long. You would have think they caught the person; I don’t understand how they couldn’t catch them.”
Her 17-year-old son, John Wilson, had the same baffled expression on his face when he realized how much time has passed since normally quiet neighborhood quickly unfolded into a crime scene.
“I think the police department has actually failed us, because so far no one’s been caught. And I think someone should be,” said John Wilson. “There are families around here that are scared to go outside at night because they think the killer is going to go and get them. “
Like his brother’s girlfriend, who is afraid to get out of her car when the sun goes down.
Rhonda Wilson said it is even more horrific for her son.
“He heard somebody screaming, but he thought somebody was calling for their dog, and then he heard a girl say ‘well we gotta get out of here.’ And now, you know, he just feels awful.”
Several neighbors and friends have told ABC57 they think a man and a woman were behind the killing.
Police have not commented on how many suspects investigators think were involved.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 574-288-STOP. Callers can receive a $1,000 cash reward for information that leads to an arrest.