DETROIT – A Detroit family and their mission for justice continues 35 years after the killing of their loved one.
The body of Jacqueline Wise, 34, was found beaten to death by Detroit firefighters responding to a fire at a home on Chalfonte Street between Greenlawn and Tuller streets in March of 1988.
“They had her on the porch covered up,” said Wise’s sister, Phyllis Poole. “It was terrible. It was really bad. Somebody done killed her and sat the house on fire.”
Poole has been dealing with her void ever since and trying to find the person responsible.
“I think it was someone she knew,” Poole said. “It wasn’t any forced entry or anything. It was probably someone she knew and probably someone that we know.”
Thirty-five years later, there have been no new developments in a case that has since turned cold.
“It’s been many years, but I know with the sophistication of all the scientific things going on that you can get caught,” Poole said.
The built-up pressure of uncertainty and suspicion has almost been too much for family members who still live in the area.
“The murderer is still out there,” Poole said. “We don’t know if they’re smiling in our face. We don’t know anything.”
Poole, along with so many others, would like to finally turn the page on pain and move on to the chapter of closure.
“Please, if you know anything or know of anyone that may have something to do with this, please contact (Police) and speak up,” Poole said. “It could be your family. Just imagine if it was your family.”
A cash reward of $2,500 is now being offered for information that leads to an arrest.
Anyone with information should contact the Detroit police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-Speak Up.
All tips to Crime Stoppers are anonymous. Click here to submit a tip online.
