For the friends and family of Robin Reeves, hope is all they have to go on now. They were given a little more hope last week that her killer - who has gone unpunished for more than four years - will be found.
Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue issued an executive order increasing the state's portion of a reward for the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for Ms. Reeves' murder more than four years ago. The $2,000 increase puts the state total at $5,000, and with the help of private donations, the total reward now stands at $17,000.
"With this $2,000 it will be $17,000," said Faye Reeves, Robin's mother. "I mean that's nothing to spit at."
Robin Reeves was found stabbed to death in her Gordon Street home in Thomson on Feb. 27, 2001. No one has ever been charged in the crime. Now, her family and friends are excited about the increase and hope that it will help prompt someone to come forward with information.
"I always say, the more money we get, the better we'll get somebody to talk because of the people we're dealing with," said family friend Mike Love.
"We're just so hopeful," Faye Reeves said. "We're grateful to the governor and the state of Georgia for giving us this amount. We just hope that it is going to aid in solving her case."
The order to increase the reward fund was given less than three weeks after Faye Reeves and Mr. Love met with Gov. Perdue during one of his "Saturdays with Sonny" sessions at the Thomson-McDuffie County airport. They found out the governor feels the same way about the case as they do.
"They met with Governor Perdue during his visit to Thomson for ‘Saturdays with Sonny,' and made this request of him. It is our hope that raising the reward will motivate people with information to come forward," said Shane Hix, a spokesperson for Gov. Perdue.
According to Mr. Love, Gov. Perdue's office has been in constant contact with the family since their July 30 meeting. He also said the governor has taken an active interest in the case.
"I'm just glad I had the opportunity to talk to Gov. Purdue. I really think he listened. Well, I guess this proves it," Faye Reeves said.
Mr. Love said it is getting more and more difficult to explain things to Robin Reeves' children, Hannah and Joseph. But he hopes the increased reward will bring closure to help put their mother's life in perspective.
"The hope is that with things that have transpired, people will feel a little more comfortable, and with the reward going up even $2,000 it will entice somebody to help us close this case for Hannah and Joseph," Mr. Love said.
