The holidays are extra hard for one Osceola County family who lost their loved one to what they said was a senseless crime.
Around this time nine years ago, Carmen Molina said she was preparing for a burial instead of making Thanksgiving plans.
Her son-in-law, Alejandro Rivera, was shot and killed around 4:45 a.m. on Nov. 20, 2006 at the Willows Village apartments in Kissimmee.
Investigators said Rivera and Hector Santiago were apartment-sitting for a friend, when three or four Hispanic men robbed and shot them. Both Rivera and Santiago died from their injuries.
"We are asking — no matter how long it has been — we are seeking justice," Molina said. "We want nobody to forget our case."
Molina said the young men spent their day at a downtown Orlando club promoting Rivera's new CD. She wondered if they were followed home.
One thing Molina said she does know is the robbers took Santiago's jewelry, including a Jesus pendant — evidence which Kissimmee police said they hope could lead to a killer.
"It could be the smallest little bit of information that you, as the caller, may think is nothing, but it's that one piece we may need that could bust this case wide open and solve it for us," said Kissimmee police spokeswoman Stacie Miller.
Rivera left behind a 2-year-old son, now 11. Molina said it's been hard watching her grandson grow up without a father.
(Courtesy Carmen Molina)
"We know that someone out there knows something, and I think it's about time you come forward," Molina added.
Rivera's mother died several years ago, never getting closure in her son's case.
Crime Stoppers are offering a $5,000 reward for any information in the shooting deaths of Alejandro Rivera and Hector Santiago in 2006. If you can help investigators solve this case, call (800) 226-TIPS (8477).