Post by Joanna on Feb 5, 2014 0:20:45 GMT -5
Why Was Rachel Murdered and Who is Responsible?
PINE RIVER, Minn. – Rachel Anthony (above) of Pequot Lakes disappeared February 27, 2001, from her place of work in Pine River. On April 13, 2001, her body was found in Breezy Point. She was the victim of asphyxia due to homicidal violence.
Rachel was working alone at Ultimate Liquors in downtown Pine River and preparing to close the store. As it was a frigid night of -19°, Rachel started her Ford Escort parked in front of the building to warm it up and locked the front door. About 1 a.m., February 28, 2001, Pine River Police found Rachel’s car still running in front of the business, but she was not inside. Her coat, purse and keys were found in the store. No merchandise appeared to have been taken and no cash was missing from the register. There was no sign of a struggle inside or outside the store. Investigators suspect Rachel was taken from the store against her will.
Rachel’s body was found April 13 by horseback riders in a ditch off Nelson Road in Breezy Point. To this day, the person or persons who murdered Rachel remain at large.
Rachel's two daughters, Jessica Winch and Tricia Lehr, say: “... to this day it remains on (our) family’s mind. Once in a while my sister or I will pull out one of the news articles and it still brings us great sadness. To have our mother taken away from us, to not see our children grow up, to not be there for us when we needed our mom. Not a day goes by that we don’t think of her and wish that she could be with us. We still hold hope that justice will be found and want to remind everyone that if you know anything to please (come forward).”
Dave Bjerga of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) says, “We still believe it was someone who has connections to the (Pine River) area. It wasn’t someone just passing through. There’s been no information that takes away from that theory at all.”
People who come forward with information that helps solve this case can qualify for rewards that have been posted. Local residents and businesses in the area of the crime have offered a $10,000 reward. The Spotlight on Crime fund at the BCA offers a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction. Crime Stoppers of Minnesota offers a reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest of the person or persons responsible for Rachel’s abduction and murder.
Crime Stoppers also offers the means to come forward and remain anonymous.
Pine River Police Chief Josh Ebert says, “We’re still hopeful that somebody out there knows something and will come forward with information. It absolutely isn’t gone from people’s minds.”
If you have information about this crime or the people who committed this abduction and murder, contact Crime Stoppers of Minnesota at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
Source: Crime Stoppers of Minnesota.
