Several families in Southwest Florida have lost their loved ones to violence. And for many of those families, the killer who took that persons life is still out on the streets. As the years, or even decades, go by, it never gets any easier. But one case is proving it is never too late to come forward with information to bring these families closure.
In April, Luis Nieves, 52, was arrested for the 1998 murder of a Fort Myers woman. Twenty-one years later, Thelma Storrs and her family finally have justice.
"That is living proof this can happen. And I'm sure he probably lived the past ten-to-fifteen years of his life thinking 'People have forgotten about it, people have moved on.' He's probably singing a different story right now," says Trish Routte from Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers.
That case sat cold for more than two decades until the phone rang and someone gave investigators a tip.
"All it takes is for one person at the right time, in the right moment in their life, to come forward have that moment and say, 'You know what, I know who did this. I can help,'" Routte said.
A tip from a caller also reignited the Christine Flahive case 24 years later. "That case went from being cold to smokin' hot," she said. "One tip from one person who decided 'You know what, I've been sitting on this for nearly a quarter of a century. I need to tell somebody.'"
Routte said there's a high probability they'll get the answers they need to close the case; answers Christine's daughter has been waiting for. "She does have a burial spot — she has a plaque and everything. My grandparents made one for her, so it would be nice to put her to rest," Missina Flahive said.
Devon Federly, 13, was killed in a hit and run crash in Port Charlotte three years ago. "Thirteen years old. He had a his entire life ahead of him," Routte said.
Devon was riding his bike with friends. It was still light outside when the driver of a silver pickup hit Devon, and investigators think that driver circled back, saw what happened, and took off.
"There's nothing that can be done to change what happened, but if someone can accept responsibility for it, it'll make it a lot easier to handle. He was such a great kid, he didn't deserve this," Roger Krajcik said.
"I guarantee you, the person who was behind the wheel the night Devon was killed has told somebody else. If you happen to be that somebody else, don't protect that driver. He does not deserve any kind of protection," Routte said.
She said the years that pass -- whether it's three or 24, don't make it any easier for the loved ones of these victims, especially when the answers are out there; the murderers are out there; and justice, and a jail cell, are waiting. "It's never too late," Routte said.
If you're that one person who years later can make a difference, and can give these families the peace they deserve, pick up your phone and call Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIP or use the P3 Tips app.
