Thursday, December 13 2012 5:50 PM EST2012-12-13 22:50:10 GMT
The body of Eastern Michigan University student Julia Niswender was found Tuesday night in her off-campus apartment. Her twin sister and grandmother spoke with Fox 2.
The body of Eastern Michigan University student Julia Niswender was found Tuesday night in her off-campus apartment. Her twin sister and grandmother spoke with Fox 2.
By Taryn Asher Fox 2 News
SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (WJBK) -- The death of an Eastern Michigan University student in December is officially ruled a homicide. Meantime, the person who killed 23-year-old Julia Niswender is still on the run.
"As a mom, I want to know what happened to her. Why did this happen to her? Who did this to us? Why did they do that to Julia?" said Kim Turnquist.
However, six weeks after the college junior was found dead inside her Ypsilanti apartment, police know very little about this mysterious crime at have released even less, only announcing Tuesday the medical examiner ruled it was a homicide and toxicology results were inconclusive.
"Okay. Anything else? No. They said the information that we have is very, very good and we're just going to continue on as we have been doing. I don't know how to feel," said Jim Turnquist, Julia's father.
Jim and Kim Turnquist of Monroe are going over Julia's final days trying to offer detectives any helpful details. It's a tough task because they haven't talked to their daughter in the few days leading up to her death.
Julia never showed up at her work Christmas party the night of December 11. At the same time, we're told one of her roommates was also concerned. She hadn't seen Julia in a few days and noticed her car never moved outside the apartment.
Police were called to check on Julia that night and found her dead inside her locked bedroom. There were no outward signs of trauma, but there were some indicators of foul play. Exactly how she was killed is still unclear.
"It's very hard to go through every day because I cry. I sleep with her robe at night, and I pretty much cry myself to sleep at night knowing that I won't get to see her, hug her, kiss her. I find myself staring at Jennifer a lot," Kim said.
Jennifer is Julia's twin, a spitting image of her sister. Last Friday, she was forced to celebrate their 24th birthdays alone.
"I lost my best friend, that she'll never be back," she said. "We all want to know and we all want answers as soon as we can, but we can't. We have to be patient."
With the help of Michigan State Police and university police, Ypsilanti detectives say they are following several leads. In the meantime, family and friends hope and pray for closure. They won't rest until they get justice for Julia.
"Our worst fear is that when we find out who did it that it's someone that we know," said Jim.
The family says that investigators do know more, but they're keeping some of these details to themselves because they are following some leads and they don't want to jeopardize this case.
If you know anything about this crime, you are asked to call Ypsilanti police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-OUT.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:03 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:03:59 GMT
Some residents in Clinton Township say they are upset over a horrible smell that seems to be at its peak when temperatures soar. They claim it has been going on for years.
Some residents in Clinton Township say they are upset over a horrible smell that seems to be at its peak when temperatures soar. They claim it has been going on for years.
Thursday, May 16 2013 7:58 PM EDT2013-05-16 23:58:47 GMT
35-year-old Sabrina Gianino was found dead inside her boyfriend's flat on Wayburn in Grosse Pointe Park just after midnight on Wednesday. Police are calling the death suspicious.
35-year-old Sabrina Gianino was found dead inside her boyfriend's flat on Wayburn in Grosse Pointe Park just after midnight on Wednesday. Police are calling the death suspicious.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 10:59 PM EDT2013-05-16 02:59:09 GMT
Warren police raided a pet store described as a little shop of horrors. The owner is not only accused of keeping animals in filthy conditions, but keeping them in a building without working utilities.
Warren police raided a pet store described as a little shop of horrors. The owner is not only accused of keeping animals in filthy conditions, but keeping them in a building without working utilities.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 11:01 PM EDT2013-05-15 03:01:56 GMT
We're told a woman from New York was attacked near the Majestic Theatre while trying to help someone in need. Sources say she was then carjacked, kidnapped, robbed and sexually assaulted before she escaped.
We're told a woman from New York was attacked near the Majestic Theatre while trying to help someone in need. Sources say she was then carjacked, kidnapped, robbed and sexually assaulted before she escaped.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 9:50 AM EDT2013-05-21 13:50:04 GMT
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing dozens and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing dozens and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:43 AM EDT2013-05-21 11:43:15 GMT
Gustav Nyquist and Drew Miller scored 31 seconds apart midway through a previously scoreless game, helping the Red Wings beat the Blackhawks 3-1 on Monday night for a 2-1 series lead.
Gustav Nyquist and Drew Miller scored 31 seconds apart midway through a previously scoreless game, helping the Red Wings beat the Blackhawks 3-1 on Monday night for a 2-1 series lead.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:35 AM EDT2013-05-21 11:35:00 GMT
Police say a 55-year-old woman is dead and two men are wounded following a shooting at a vacant Detroit residence believed to have been used for drug activity.
Police say a 55-year-old woman is dead and two men are wounded following a shooting at a vacant Detroit residence believed to have been used for drug activity.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:23 AM EDT2013-05-21 11:23:29 GMT
Basehunters, a storm chasing team from Norman, Okla., captured over three minutes worth of video showing Monday's deadly monster tornado that roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs.
Basehunters, a storm chasing team from Norman, Okla., captured over three minutes worth of video showing Monday's deadly monster tornado that roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:08 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:08:56 GMT
A small dog was taken from a woman's car on Sunday. Now a woman claims she wasn't trying to steal the dog. She was trying to save its life because it was locked in a car on a hot day.
A small dog was taken from a woman's car on Sunday. Now a woman claims she wasn't trying to steal the dog. She was trying to save its life because it was locked in a car on a hot day.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:03 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:03:59 GMT
Some residents in Clinton Township say they are upset over a horrible smell that seems to be at its peak when temperatures soar. They claim it has been going on for years.
Some residents in Clinton Township say they are upset over a horrible smell that seems to be at its peak when temperatures soar. They claim it has been going on for years.
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