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.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:02 AM EDT2013-06-18 13:02:29 GMT
The FBI and local police have teamed up hoping to solve a 38-year-old murder mystery. They are searching an Oakland Township field looking for Jimmy Hoffa.
The FBI and local police have teamed up hoping to solve a 38-year-old murder mystery. They are searching an Oakland Township field looking for Jimmy Hoffa.
Wednesday, June 12 2013 11:26 PM EDT2013-06-13 03:26:44 GMT
Less than 24 hours after a judge bounced Detroit mayoral candidate Mike Duggan from the ballot saying he didn't meet the City Charter's residency requirements, a negative political ad hit the air.
Less than 24 hours after a judge bounced Detroit mayoral candidate Mike Duggan from the ballot saying he didn't meet the City Charter's residency requirements and around the same time Duggan vowed to appeal, a negative political ad hit the air.
Wednesday, June 12 2013 8:49 AM EDT2013-06-12 12:49:07 GMT
This could be a game changer for Detroit's mayoral election. Mike Duggan was yanked from the ballot after a judge said he was not a registered voter in the city for a year before he filed his nominating petitions
This could be a game changer for Detroit's mayoral election. Mike Duggan, who was considered a front runner, was yanked from the ballot after a judge said he was not a registered voter in the city for a year before he filed his nominating petitions. He fell just 14 days short.
Tuesday, June 11 2013 10:38 AM EDT2013-06-11 14:38:08 GMT
It was late last week after the last day of school when parents received an unexpected letter in their email that reads more like more soap opera than something from a school district.
It was late last week after the last day of school when parents received an unexpected letter in their email that reads more like more soap opera than something from a school district.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:38 PM EDT2013-06-19 03:38:44 GMT
After initially defying federal regulators, Chrysler abruptly agreed Tuesday to recall some older-model Jeeps with fuel tanks that could rupture and cause fires in rear-end collisions.
After initially defying federal regulators, Chrysler abruptly agreed Tuesday to recall some older-model Jeeps with fuel tanks that could rupture and cause fires in rear-end collisions.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:29 PM EDT2013-06-19 03:29:11 GMT
An angry pastor is trying to keep his cool. He is mad at whoever tore apart his air conditioning unit to steal the copper, but he also says the entire community shares the blame.
An angry pastor is trying to keep his cool. He is mad at whoever tore apart his air conditioning unit to steal the copper, but he also says the entire community shares the blame.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:46 PM EDT2013-06-19 01:46:58 GMT
Nearly a hundred years ago, two girls from Detroit put a message in a bottle and threw it into the waters of the St. Clair River. Now that message is back on dry land after being found by a diver in 30 feet of water.
Nearly a hundred years ago, two girls from Detroit put a message in a bottle and threw it into the waters of the St. Clair River. Now that message is back on dry land after being found by a diver in 30 feet of water.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:26 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:26:33 GMT
The latest dig in the search for former Teamsters' boss Jimmy Hoffa will resume on Wednesday in an Oakland Township field. So far, crews have found two concrete slabs and animal bones.
The latest dig in the search for former Teamsters' boss Jimmy Hoffa will resume on Wednesday in an Oakland Township field. So far, crews have found two concrete slabs and animal bones.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 4:54 PM EDT2013-06-18 20:54:19 GMT
Who will open for Bon Jovi at Ford Field on July 18? Your vote will decide. 20 bands left in the Fox Rocks contest. Voting period: Now through July 10. Time to 'Fox Rocks' the vote.
Who will open for Bon Jovi at Ford Field on July 18? Your vote will decide. 20 bands left in the Fox Rocks contest. Voting period: Now through July 10. Time to 'Fox Rocks' the vote.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 12:20 PM EDT2013-06-18 16:20:44 GMT
Detroit Metropolitan Airport officials evacuated a section of the McNamara Terminal Tuesday morning after a canine picked up the scent of explosives on the apron, where planes load.
Detroit Metropolitan Airport officials evacuated a section of the McNamara Terminal Tuesday morning after a canine picked up the scent of explosives on the apron, where planes load.
