Edwin Todd, Murdered, TN
Todd family searches for answers in seven month old cold case While some cases can turn cold after years of investigation, others the leads can run dry after days or even weeks. Police say a murder investigation in Knoxville that began last spring is a good example. "He was just a fun guy, loved to have fun loved to laugh," says Regina Todd, Victim's mother. Edwin Todd's family affectionately called him JR, while his friends knew him better as Shaq. A nickname now cast in concrete after gunfire took his life at just 23. Todd adds, "It's been close to 7 months and I cried everyday. I've cried everyday. I don't wish this on my worst enemy. I don't wish this on anyone." Investigators say Todd was partying at the Old City's Red Iguana back on April 27, 2006 when a fight broke out inside. Management shut the club down and the people poured out. Many into a parking lot on the corner of Willow and Central. That's where police say another confrontation killed Todd. "We got reports anywhere from 4 to 15 people involved in the fight itself and during that fight Mr. Todd was shot and died," says Ryan Flores, Knoxville Police Department Investigator. It was about 2:40 in the morning when investigators arrived at the scene. Some took pictures of the area and collected evidence, while other officers worked to find a white Cadillac the suspects were supposedly seen leaving in. In the days following the shooting, investigators interviewed 23 witnesses but have never been able to make an arrest. They believe dozens more people likely saw what happened and that someone out there holds the key to solving this. Todd says, "I just want whoever it was who took his life to know they just didn't take a life they took something that was not theirs. I want them to come forth and find peace within themselves because they have no peace until they make the wrong right that they have done." Todd's family lives in the Chicago area but keeps in close contact with investigators in Knoxville. A relationship that revolves around finding JR's killer and finally closing this cold case. Investigator Flores says, "That's the most frustrating part about it. We know somebody knows something and they are not telling us." A secret that forces Todd's mother to carry pictures of JR with her everyday. A sense of comfort knowing her son is close and contentment knowing answers will one day come. "I know it's coming. I know it's coming," adds Todd. This is the only open murder investigation this year for KPD. If you have any information that could help them break the case, you are asked to give them a call at 1-865-215-7275. Brian Holt , Photographer Robin Murdoch , Reporter Last updated: 11/22/2006 9:44:10 AM http://www.wbir.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=39850