Even four years later, John and Karen Godfrey believe the answers are out there concerning who killed their daughter, Kelly Nicole Godfrey Smith.
That's why they are increasing the reward for reliable information.
The body of Smith, 27, was found in Chartiers Run at the Allegheny River in a remote section of Lower Burrell four years ago today.
In order to encourage someone with information to come forward, the Godfreys are increasing their reward for information to $15,000 — a jump of $5,000 for a teacher and a retired steelworker.
"If anyone has been on the fence about coming through, well, this is a reason (to come forward)," said Kelly's father, John, who is retired from Allegheny Ludlum.
Police say they have some clues about the killing of Smith, a wife and mother of a boy who is now 8 years old.
Lower Burrell Lt. Robert Galvanek and Westmoreland County District AttorneyJohn Peck said the case is still being investigated. But they have not released any details about what they know.
"It's so hard for someone not involved to understand how slow the process has to go," said Kelly's mother.
"We know the Lower Burrell and Westmoreland County detectives are still working on the case," she said. "But our hands are tied, and to sit and wait is very difficult.
"We want to help find the man who killed Kelly."
"We hear about this every day," said Kelly's brother, Patrick. "People are always asking us.
"I want to know for Kelly's son, Mason, and my daughter," Patrick Godfrey said. "They are getting older and one day will want to know what happened."
Kelly's son, Mason, 8, lives with his father, Jason Smith, and Mason's step-sister, Kaitlyn.
"I'm starting to lose faith with the process," Smith said.
Smith said Kelly's survivors suffer daily as a result of her death "while her body is in the ground and her killer is still out there," he said.
Smith was not living with his wife at the time of her death.
"We were married 10 years and split up a couple of weeks," Smith said. "She talked with me every day, and I know we were getting back together."
Smith said he is haunted by questions about his wife's death.
"There's been no explanation how she died, and that causes us mental anguish," Smith said. "We need answers. Was she killed at the river, or moved down there⢠This blows my mind. Maybe whoever did this will seek to do it again because he hasn't been caught."
John Godfrey has faith that a larger reward will persuade people who know bits and pieces of the story to talk with police.
"Maybe someone knows something. Maybe it's insignificant to them," John Godfrey said. "But maybe the detectives can really use the information."
Few details released
Police want to know how, when and why Kelly left her house at 813 Cleveland Ave., Brackenridge, sometime late on June 13 or early June 14, 2007.
She wasn't seen again.
Her body was found near a sandy, riverside area that serves as an unauthorized party place mostly used by underage drinkers and fishermen.
In fact, it was two bass fishermen who found the body about noon four years ago today.
Kelly's friends and family say she was gregarious. She was the type who didn't see class distinctions and befriended the lovely and the lowly. She pulled for the underdog every time.
She had worked as office assistant at a Pittsburgh law firm and in the admissions office of The Bradford School, where she had earlier graduated, and as a human relations assistant at another company.
More than 1,100 people signed Kelly's guest book at the funeral home.
Kelly's family believes that someone she knew may have information about her death.
"How can that person be with us at the funeral home and at our house, hugged us, and not say anything?" Karen Godfrey said. "I'd really like to know."
"If someone would just call the police," she said. "There is a reward — a $15,000 reward."
Kelly Nicole Smith's grave is on a grassy knoll at a corner of St. Mary's Cemetery in Lower Burrell.
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