A plea for help

By Eloria Newell James, community@laurelleadercall.com

March 07, 2009 03:55 pm

— One year after the murder, the family of a Wayne County woman is still pleading to the public for help in finding their loved one’s killer.
Rena Wishum and her family conducted a press conference at the Mississippi Highway Patrol’s Hattiesburg Office Friday, which marked the one-year anniversary of Janie Cooley Broadway Williams’ death.
The family held the press conference to announce the establishment of a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in Williams’ death.
The family also hopes to bring attention to the need for public help in finding information about the death of the Wayne County woman.
“It’s been a year, but it seems like it was yesterday,” said Rena Wishum, Janie’s daughter, as she wiped away tears. “We live right by her house. So, it’s something we look at everyday. ... I just hope someone will speak out and help.”
“We need help,” proclaimed Tod Wishum, Williams’ son-in-law during a press conference Friday. “There was one shot and she was gone. ... There’s got to be an explanation. Somebody shot her.”
However, no arrest has been made in connection with her death.
Williams was murdered at around 1 a.m., the morning of Thursday, March 6th, 2008 inside her home on Red Brown Drive in Clara near Waynesboro.
Officials reported that Williams and her husband, Ken Williams, had just arrived home and they were the only people in the home at the time a single bullet entered the house through a kitchen window striking the woman.
“The shot came through the kitchen window as Williams stood in front of her refrigerator,” Investigator Ricky Lott with the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) said in a press release. “A high power rifle was used to fire the fatal shot. “
Lott and Investigator Mike Mozingo with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department (WCSO) had been the lead investigators in the case.
Investigators reported having interviewed 67 people in connection with the case and have received numerous tips. However, officials have not been able to identify a suspect or make an arrest.
Williams and her husband co-owned the High Noon Bar in Waynesboro, as well as a flower shop.
Wishum and other members of the victim’s family gathered in Hattiesburg and said they need some answers.
Janie’s husband, Ken Williams, did not attend the press conference.
Members of Janie’s family are offering the $10,000 reward.
The family members said they need closure.
“It’s been a terrible year. Janie and I were close,” Thomas Cooley, the victim’s brother, said. “I miss her calling and just being here.”
The victim’s daughter wept as she talked about her mother, who lived and raised her family in Wayne County for many years.
Heather Wishum, 19, said her family still needs some answers concerning her grandmother’s death.
“Her life was ripped right from under her,” Wishum said. “I feel like the case is being swept under the rug and we have the same rights as everyone else.”
“It didn’t just happen out of the clear blue. Somebody shot her,” Tod Wishum said. “We need closure.”
Family members questioned the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department’s initial handling of the case and the lack of federal and state agencies being called in to assist them in the investigation.
The MHP’s Mississippi Bureau of Investigations was the only agency called in to assist the county in the case.
“The FBI has a whole lot more resources than a hometown county sheriff office,” Tod Wishum said. “We need all the help we can get.”
“There’s no amount of money worth my sister being killed,” Thomas Cooley said. “We need help from everyone and any agency willing to help.”
Wishum said his family will continue to seek information.
Cooley agreed.
“There’s somebody who knows something somewhere,” Cooley said. “We just need someone to come forth.”
Wishum said the family needs justice.
“We are looking for some justice,” he said. “My mother-in-law has a right to seek justice. ... Somebody has taken her rights away.”
Diane James, coordinator of the Metro Crime Stoppers and Southeast MS Crime Stoppers, and Metro Crime Stoppers Board President, Mr. Charlie McAffrey attended the press conference and said the Metro Crime Stoppers is assisting in the plea for public help.
Metro Crime Stoppers has teamed up with the MBI to help the family of Williams get public help.
The Crime Stoppers agencies are offering a $2,000 reward for information concerning the early morning murder. The Cooley Family is also offering a $10,000 reward.
James said the Cooley’s reward “is the largest award we’ve had offered for an individual from a family.”
The family also conducted a vigil in Wayne County Thursday night to remember Janie Cooley Broadway Williams.
“We are not going to let it lay. We want to keep it fresh on people’s minds,” Tod Wishum said. “We are just issuing a plea for help now. It’s been a year. We need help.”
James said information received through the hotline can make a difference.
“It’s a cold case,” James said. “We just need a break.”
Officials said all calls/tips on this case should go to the Mississippi State Crime Stoppers Tip Hotline at 1-888-8CRIMES (1-888-827-4637) or METRO CRIME STOPPERS AT 601-582-STOP(7867).

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