A group of more than 60 family and friends gathered at a Public Storage facility in Bedford Park, Ill., on Aug. 3 to honor the memory of former self-storage manager Jennifer Boyd, who was stabbed to death in a unit 12 years ago. The gathering released more than 100 pink balloons printed with the words “Justice 4 Jeni” and a reward notice. Boyd’s murder remains unsolved.
“Twelve years ago today a light was extinguished, a light that will glow again when we have justice for Jen,” said Doug Rice, Boyd’s uncle, during the ceremony.
Boyd, 27, was found inside a storage unit with multiple stab wounds after a customer heard banging and cries for help and called authorities. She is believed to have been in the unit for up to two hours before firefighters broke in and found her dead.
Investigators believe the murderer may have posed as a customer. A sign was left on the manager’s window indicating Boyd intended to return at 3:30 p.m. on the afternoon she died. She had been property manager for several months and was the only employee working that day, according to the source.
The suspect is described as a light-skinned black male between the ages of 35 and 40, wearing wire-rimmed glasses. He would be approximately 47 to 52 years old today.
“Even though today is a celebration of Jeni’s life, it can’t go without being said that the monsters responsible for Jeni’s death freely walk the streets,” said Rebecca Hernandez, Boyd’s sister. “Their lives still go on as normal while ours have forever changed. After all these years, we still hold out hope that individuals are going to be caught and brought to justice. Jeni deserves this, and so do we.”
The slaying was the first murder registered in the village of Bedford Park. Last year, two investigators were assigned to work the case with a fresh perspective, and detective Andy Smuskiewicz said they are working on several leads.
Public Storage continues to offer a $25,000 reward for information that leads to capturing the killer.
Anyone with information regarding the case is asked to call the Bedford Park Police Department at 708.458.3388, at extension 313 or 314. Tips can also be submitted through the department’s website at www.villageofbedfordpark.com.
Sources:
- Chicago Tribune: Family, Friends Remember Young Woman Killed at Bedford Park Storage Facility in 2002
- SouthtownStar: Alsip Woman Remembered as Police Continue Search for Killer 12 Years Later
- The Storage Facilitator: Friends and Relatives Remember Slain Storage Manager
