Julia Niswender of Eastern Michigan University was found in a bath tub on December 11, 2012, and was said to die from asphyxiation of drowning
The five year anniversary of a 23-year-old college student who was found murdered in her Michigan apartment is on Monday and the family is still left with a lot of unanswered questions.
Julia Niswender was found dead in her bathtub on December 11, 2012 in her off-campus apartment after her roommate told police she hadn’t seen her for days and she failed to show up to a Christmas party.
Ypsilanti police revealed that the Eastern Michigan University broadcasting student died of asphyxiation by drowning.
Her clothes had been cut off and her locked bedroom was ransacked, with a pillow case and key missing.
A latex glove covered in blood was also discovered near where her body was found.
Seminal fluid was present at the scene, but no one has been charged in connection with the slaying and the case is still under investigation.
Her family have been trying to find answers ever since, and are starting to feel that her case may never be solved.
‘A part of me, as more time goes on, is starting to lose some hope and I really don’t like feeling like that,’ Jennifer Niswender, Julia’s twin, said to M Live on Tuesday.
‘And I’ve tried to stay hopeful as much as I can, but the more time that passes and we don’t receive any news or any updates from the police department, it’s very tough to handle.’
‘A part of me, as more time goes on, is starting to lose some hope and I really don’t like feeling like that,’ Jennifer Niswender (right), Julia’s twin, said
Her family now hang an artificial Christmas tree in their house, a tradition they picked up after Julia’s (left) death
Jennifer attends a ‘twinless twin’ support group that she feels lucky to have found.
She added: ‘You know whenever they do catch this person or whatever they do in the end, it still doesn’t bring my sister back.’
And while seminal fluid was found on the scene, no one was charged with homicide and the case has remained under investigation
Ypsilanti police Lt Deric Gress sent the publication a statement adding that the department is still in contact with the Michigan State Police forensic laboratory, testing evidence still.
‘Once we get another detective into the bureau, we plan to review what has been completed (which has been a lot), and where this investigation leads us,’ he said.
‘(Be) assured that we have not forgotten Julia, and continue to work on this case.’
James Turnquist, the girl’s step-father, was named a person of interest in 2015 for Julia’s death.
He had been charged with the possession of child pornography in Monroe County and would be found not guilty from those.
Ypsilanti Police Chief Tony DeGiusti would later have to admit that any looking into Turnquist was not well researched.
‘This is a very complicated case and has taken us in many different directions and although Mr. Turnquist is a person of interest in the case we have not regarded him as a suspect,’ he said in the statement.
Jennifer (right) attends a ‘twinless twin’ support group that she feels lucky to have found
For Kim Turnquist, the rift created by the implication for the family and police department is something that has ‘tainted’ the investigation.
She added that they’ve had issues with their family because of their continued support of James.
The mom shared that it is awkward for them to talk about issues with the family and added that she is annoyed by strangers who act as if they know the details surrounding the case.
‘(Be) assured that we have not forgotten Julia, and continue to work on this case,’ said Ypsilanti police Lt Deric Gress in a statement
‘The story should be about Julia and her life and the path that she was taking and the joy that she brought to our lives and the smiles and the laughter and even some not so good moments,’ she added.
‘… I should never have been made to not want to scream at the top of my lungs about my daughter’s case.’
Julia’s death still has its hold on the family, who have settled for an artificial Christmas tree since 2012.
Her sister Jennifer hung ornaments in her stead, once again.
For the mother, hearing other family’s holiday plans prompts her to share of decorating the Christmas tree five years ago.
James Turnquist, the girl’s step-father, was named a person of interest in 2015 for Julia’s death but the evidence was not well researched
Fan: Niswender (center) met her idol Anderson Cooper during a trip to New York
‘I cry and then everyone is sad for me,’ said Kim Turnquist.
‘(But) I enjoy telling the story because they get to see me light up about Julia’s laughter and her smile … she was always cheesing it up.’
‘She was just fun-loving and loved her friends and family very much.’
Julia had been studying broadcasting at the university.
Two vigils are planned this week for Julia that the public is invited to.
One is at 6.30 pm Saturday, December 9 at the Ypsilanti Eagles No. 2250, 2935 Holmes Road in Ypsilanti Township, and one at 5 pm Sunday, December 10 at the Erie Union Cemetery in Monroe County’s Erie Township.