In September of 1998, a ten year old girl was murdered on her front porch.
Police think there could be several people who know exactly who committed the crime.
But three years later, no one has come forward. Tonight, we continue our "Murder Mystery" series with a look at the murder of Anna Palmer.
Crime Specialist Karen Scullin has an update on the case.
The thing that really disturbs Salt Lake City detectives about this case, is that the murder was committed in broad daylight...at a very busy time of day. They strongly believe there are people who have the information they need to solve this crime.
Detectives say there are essentially two crimes surrounding the death of ten year old Anna Palmer.
The fact that she was brutally murdered ...AND that those who know what happened... haven't come forward.
Sgt. Jerry Mendez/Salt Lake City Police Dept. - I'VE HAD CALLS WITHIN THE LAST YEAR THAT SAID I KNOW SOMEONE WHO MAY HAVE SOMETHING ON ANNA PALMER I'LL TALK TO THEM AND HAVE THEM CALL YOU BUT THEY NEVER DO. AND I DON'T KNOW WHY I WOULD ASSUME THEY'RE STILL FRIGHTENED.
Anna Palmer was found stabbed to death on her front porch September tenth, 1998...she died from wounds to the neck, and was found by her mother who was returning home from work. The house sits on third east....a busy street... and it was still daylight, about seven at night..
BASED ON THE PHYSCIAL EVIDENCE AT THE SCENE AT THE TIME IT WOULD HAVE TO BE SOMEONE TALLER OR LARGER THAN ANNA PALMER. COULD THAT BE A JUVENILE? CERTAINLY. BUT MORE LIKELY IT'S GOING TO BE AN ADULT.
Sgt. Mendez believes the crime was not pre-meditated....that it was unplanned and spontaneous.
THE WAY IT LOOKS RIGHT NOW, I DON'T THINK IT WAS PLANNED. AND BY THAT I DON'T THINK SHE WAS A TARGET OF THE HOMICIDE, I DON'T THINK THE PERSON WAS INTENDING OR STALKING HER OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
Although at first, there were concerns the ten year old had been sexually assaulted, detectives now say that's not true.
PERSONALLY I DON'T THINK THERE WAS SUFFICIENT TIME. SHE WAS CLOTHED, THE STABBING, WHERE SHE WAS FOUND THERE DOES NOT INDICATE THERE WAS ANY KIND OF SEXUALITY THERE AT ALL. SO I DON'T THINK SHE WAS
Since the crime there have been billboards....rewards....and numerous pleas for information.
Detectives strongly believe this case can be solved, but only if someone does what's right and comes forward.
This case is cold, but it's not closed...and detectives remain optimistic that it can be solved.
If you have any information you're asked to call Salt Lake City Homicide detectives at 799-3730.
