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PBSO seeks clues year after woman shot, killed

Posted at 11:18 AM, May 30, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-30 18:54:46-04

Making their way from door to door, Akilah Jarrett's family is trying to get the word out.

It's been a year since Jarrett was found murdered in a lot near Gramercy Park in suburban West Palm Beach.

Her loved ones traveled down to Florida on Monday, spending the afternoon passing out fliers, asking for information.

Earlier that day, at a news conference, they said they are still trying to heal.

"The magnolias are blooming in Georgia, and I can't tell her about how pretty they are anymore," Akilah's tearful mother Janice says.

She says she has no idea why anyone would take her daughter's life.

"The children still cry for her," Janice Jarrett says. "We all still cry."

She knows one thing for sure - she wants them off the street.

"This kind of person don't need to walk around. Somebody needs to say something. Somebody needs to own up to this."

Investigators hope that day comes soon.

"There has been new evidence that has come forward in the past year," says PBSO Detective John Chapman.

Not going into specifics, Detective Chapman says they have a person of interest - but he stopped short of naming a suspect.

Akilah's family is now appealing to the community for help.

"The community has to know something," Akilah's aunt says. "This wasn't just a random act. It was deliberate, it was planned out."

As the family waits for those answers to come to light, they say their fight isn't over.

If you know anything about this case you're asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-458-TIPS or Detective Chapman at 561-688-4157.

A $1,000 reward is being offered for information.

Remember - you can remain anonymous.
 

 

EARLIER STORY

The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office is searching for leads in the death of Akilah Jarrett. Jarrett was found dead  with multiple gunshot wounds in a vacant lot near West Palm Beach on May 30, 2015. 

On Thursday, a poster with Jarrett's picture and reward information was installed on 45th Street, just west of Military Trail. 

READ RELATED STORY: Deceased woman found with multiple gunshot wounds near West Palm Beach, PBSO says

 A $1,000 reward is being offered on information regarding Jarrett's murder. 

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-458-TIPS.

You can remain anonymous.