SPRINGFIELD — The mother of a woman who was killed is speaking out as police look into the 17-year-old cold case.
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As previously reported on News Center 7 at 6, Kay Poor is the mother of Alia Hartman, who died May 9, 2008.
Hartman was found after a house fire, which investigators determined to be arson, and her death was ruled a homicide.
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“17 years ago today she was murdered and we’ve never known who or why,” Poor said. “I’ve kind of just put it in a box inside and kind of tried to ignore it.”
Poor is working to make sure people don’t forget about Alia.
“With just me and her, and I had lost her father, it just, you know, we were best friends,” Poor said.
Springfield fire crews arrived at the house fire on Sweetbriar Lane South and found Alia’s body in the bedroom, but investigators determined she didn’t die in the fire.
“This was a homicide and the arson was a cover-up,” Springfield Police Sergeant James Byron said.
Alia was living at the house while Poor was going through a divorce. Alia was the mother of two boys.
‘[I have] lots of suspicions, but nothing concrete,” Poor said.
Springfield police are working to re-interview people they spoke to 17-years-ago.
“We’ve lost contact with a lot of people involved in this case, and we would like to recontact them,” Byron said.
Police believe this case is solvable and are working to give everyone closure.
“They deserve justice for this case, and that’s what we’re going to try and give them,” Byron said.
Poor is hopeful someone knows something that can help police find the killer.
“I would like to see whoever did it be held accountable, yes. I mean, it’s been 17 years that this person is out there walking around and they shouldn’t be, not for murdering somebody,” Poor said.
Both Poor and police are hoping there is someone out there with helpful information. Springfield police ask anyone with information to contact them.
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