Families of unsolved murder victims from around the region are not giving up hope on finding justice for their loved ones and will continue to raise awareness around these unsolved crimes.

In September, a prayer circle was held by Connersville community members who feel too many murder cases have gone unnoticed and unsolved in Fayette County and surrounding counties. 

One of the event organizers, Paula Moore, shared the prayer circle was an opportunity for family and community members to come together in faith and unity to pray and ask God for justice. Fifty-four people attended who are seeking answers and want to know why these cases remain open.

"I have to say something today," Terrilyn Wallace-Jett, eldest sister of missing person Niqui McCown said. "These are our people; we love them. We need justice. We need justice."

The family of Darlene Russell, whose murder remains unsolved for 41 years, was present at the prayer circle. In September of 1981, Darlene was found brutally murdered.

"She was murdered in 1981, and she was dumped on Wayne Co./Fayette Co. line Rd.," said Darlene's youngest sibling Gary Russell.

Although Darlene was murdered when her brother Gary was 12, he will never forget the qualities he loved most about her. 

"Just her personality," Gary shared. "She was outspoken, loved her friends, and loved hanging out with them."

Gary also shared time doesn't take away the pain or the want to get justice for his sister. 

"It's pretty rough; I mean, it's heartbreaking," Gary shared. "Especially knowing the person or persons involved are still running around Connersville or the surrounding counties. I was just told a little bit ago about certain names and so forth, and I told them I was already aware of those people. It's a matter of time."

The family of 28-year-old prison guard Niqui McCown of Richmond, who went missing in July of 2001, just three weeks before she was to be married, attended the prayer circle to fight for Niqui's justice and to support others in the community who are facing the same tragedy.

"We have a missing sister of over 21 years, Niqui McCown," Jett said. "We are trying to get it out as much as we can by doing this. We need all the support we can get, but we also want to be a support to someone else."

Niqui's case has also been deemed cold, but the family will never give up on getting justice for Niqui. 

"It feels like it was yesterday to us, she is the youngest sibling, our baby, and before my mother passed and my stepfather passed, they said, 'Don't let them forget about Niqui.'"

Remains speculated to be Niqui's were found near Spencer, in November 2003, but DNA tests were inconclusive, and she is still officially listed as missing.

The remains Characteristics

Estimated age - minimum 25, maximum 45 

Race - African American

Female

Height estimated to be around 65 inches.

Projected to have died one to two years earlier prior to being found in 2003

May have had a broken nose in the past that healed crooked.

Clothing and accessories

·Remnants of cotton fabric with an Anvil brand tag attached (Size XL, made in the USA).

·A silver-dollar-sized medallion with the words "Corline S. Likes Steve P. Love" and an American flag in the center on the front. It is not known if the male's name is STEVE P. LOVE or if Love is a separate word. On the medallion's back is a four-leaf clover and the words "GOOD LUCK."

"They say pillow talk is a lot of things because one of the gentlemen that were a person of interest had a girlfriend," Jett said. "I am speaking to his girlfriend right now. I'm speaking to her, and we know everyone else has passed on, and you are the only survivor. We just need answers, whatever it takes."

Other families of cold-case murder victims like Denise Pflum attended the prayer circle, and the family of the most recent murder victim in Connersville, Josh Durham.

Families are urging anyone with information to reach out to the police and can remain anonymous. The Indiana State Police values the assistance of citizens who can provide critical information to solve cases. The information you can provide can help bring closure to the families and friends of victims involved with cold cases. Thank you for assisting in solving these cases.

Other cold cases in the area include:

Nancy Lyons

Age: 46

Sex: Female

Race: Caucasian

County: Rush and Bartholomew

Location of Offense: Vehicle found abandoned in the southeast corner of County Road 700 West at County Road 500 North, Rush County.

Victim's skeletal remains - West side of CR 1000 east between CR 200 south and CR 300 South, Bartholomew County.

Circumstances: During the late evening of June 17, 2002, Nancy Lyons' red 1993 Nissan bearing Indiana registration plate 39A8348, was discovered abandoned along County Road 700 west at CR north in Rush County. The Rush County authorities found that the vehicle was running, unoccupied, trunk open, and had a flat left rear tire. Police found personal items belonging to Nancy Lyons in the car. On Oct. 2, 2002, human skeletal remains were discovered in a soybean field along CR 1000 east between CR 200 south and 300 south in Bartholomew County. These remains were later identified as belonging to the victim Nancy Lyons.

Denise Pflum

Age: 18

Sex: Female

Race: Caucasian

County: Fayette

Location of Offense: Southwestern Fayette County

Circumstances: On 03/28/1986, Denise Pflum was last seen after she left her home in southern Fayette County driving her cream-colored 1981 Buick Regal, 2-door. Her 

vehicle was later located abandoned in southwestern Fayette County, and Denise has not been seen since. At the time of Denise's disappearance, she wore a red t-shirt with Motley Crue, blue jeans, and white tennis shoes. Foul play is suspected.