Judith Lynn Petty

PARKERSBURG — Kelly Poiani has kept the memory of her slain sister alive for the past 13 years on the anniversary of her murder.

She does so in hopes investigators will finally get a clue to lead them to the killers of Judith Lynn Petty, whose remains were found in February 2008 in a building that caught fire a few days earlier on a family farm in Wood County.

Her parents say they want to live to see the people responsible for the murder brought to justice, Poiani said.

“I want to see it solved, too,” Poiani said.

Petty was 48 at the time of her death. She was last seen alive four days before her remains were found, walking from her residence in north Parkersburg to the Parkersburg-Wood County Public Library to return books.

Last seen around 36th Street and Emerson Avenue near the library, she was reported missing on Feb. 6, 2008.

Her body was found in a farm building owned by her father, Marvin Petty, on West Virginia 31 in Waverly. The building was destroyed by a fire, but investigators believe she may have been killed before the building caught fire.

While the sheriff’s department has several suspects, the evidence for an arrest remains elusive, according to Poiani.

Someone knows something, but for reasons known only to them are reluctant or unwilling to come forward, Poiani said. People generally will talk and other people in addition to the perpetrator probably have information that could solve the case, she said.

“They’re afraid to talk (to police) for some reason,” Poiani said.

No ceremonies or events are planned to mark the anniversary of Petty’s murder, she said. A website was created, Justice for Judith Petty.

Jess Mancini can be reached at jmancini@newsandsentinel.com.