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.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:53 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:53:47 GMT
Anna Bailey was walking back from the gas station Thursday morning when she found 16-year-old Emonte Davis lying in the middle of the sidewalk on Sharon Street. He had been shot in the chest, and she tried to help.
Anna Bailey was walking back from the gas station Thursday morning when she found 16-year-old Emonte Davis lying in the middle of the sidewalk on Sharon Street. He had been shot in the chest, and she tried to help.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:39 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:39:42 GMT
The Republicans in Lansing are pushing a new bill that would base teacher salaries on student performance. But will merit pay really help kids get a better education? Some say the answer is no.
The Republicans in Lansing are pushing a new bill that would base teacher salaries on student performance. But will merit pay really help kids get a better education? Some say the answer is no.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:59 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:59:19 GMT
Some Detroiters say their neighbor is hoarding dogs. She has been accused of doing it before. In 2011, 25 dogs were removed from her home, but we're told a case was never brought.
Some Detroiters say their neighbor is hoarding dogs. She has been accused of doing it before. In 2011, 25 dogs were removed from her home, but we're told a case was never brought.
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.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:58 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:58:44 GMT
Police say a woman was held captive at a hotel for several days and forced to have sex around the clock with multiple men, whoever would pay the price. 26-year-old Deante Brown now faces sex trafficking charges.
Police say a woman was held captive at a hotel for several days and forced to have sex around the clock with multiple men, whoever would pay the price. 26-year-old Deante Brown now faces sex trafficking charges.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:18 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:18:53 GMT
Dairy Boy keeps getting hit with tire tracks in the yard, so they brought in boulders to act as a visual warning and physical reminder not to cut the corner. Now they've been told those rocks must go.
Dairy Boy keeps getting hit with tire tracks in the yard, so they brought in boulders to act as a visual warning and physical reminder not to cut the corner. Now they've been told those rocks must go.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:34 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:34:36 GMT
The pediatrician called him a big baby, his parents believed their boy was genetically destined to be obese, but he proved them all wrong. One day, he made a critical decision and became a weight loss winner.
The pediatrician called him a big baby, his parents believed their boy was genetically destined to be obese, but he proved them all wrong. One day, he made a critical decision and became a weight loss winner.
Friday, May 24 2013 8:54 PM EDT2013-05-25 00:54:08 GMT
More than 150 dogs have been removed from locations owned by a breeding facility in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula, where officials said the animals were living in outdoor enclosures with little protection.
More than 150 dogs have been removed from locations owned by a breeding facility in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula, where officials said the animals were living in outdoor enclosures with little protection.
Friday, May 24 2013 7:06 PM EDT2013-05-24 23:06:29 GMT
Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger, an institution for generations of University of Michigan students in Ann Arbor, is about to undergo a historic change of address.
Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger, an institution for generations of University of Michigan students in Ann Arbor, is about to undergo a historic change of address.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:54 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:54:49 GMT
Gleaming stainless steel circa 1975 provides the once futuristic setting for Southfield's best-kept secret -- Anthony's Coney Cafe inside the IBM building at Nine Mile and Southfield Road.
Gleaming stainless steel circa 1975 provides the once futuristic setting for Southfield's best-kept secret -- Anthony's Coney Cafe inside the IBM building at Nine Mile and Southfield Road.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:31 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:31:37 GMT
A home explosion in Royal Oak back in February killed a man and damaged dozens of houses. Now some homeowners are complaining that insurance companies are making repairs difficult.
A home explosion in Royal Oak back in February killed a man and damaged dozens of houses. Now some homeowners are complaining that insurance companies are making repairs difficult.
Friday, May 24 2013 1:52 PM EDT2013-05-24 17:52:39 GMT
Alan Lee asks Wallace if the subject of Viagara will 'come up' in Wallace's scheduled interview with former Senator Bob Dole. Wallace responds, "Comes up, really that's what you're going to say?"
Alan Lee asks Wallace if the subject of Viagara will 'come up' in Wallace's scheduled interview with former Senator Bob Dole. Wallace responds, "Comes up, really that's what you're going to say?"
Friday, May 24 2013 1:29 PM EDT2013-05-24 17:29:01 GMT
School officials say an earlier lockdown at three schools in Allen Park Friday has been lifted.
School officials say an earlier lockdown at three schools in Allen Park Friday has been lifted. Officials say police gave the all-clear at Allen Park Middle School, Lindemann Elementary and Riley Education Center around 12:40 p.m. Friday.
