Post by Scumhunter on Aug 21, 2016 2:35:02 GMT -5
From thestate.com:
COLUMBIA, SC
Laurin Barnes and Kaitlin Huffstetler still stare at the door during holidays expecting their father to walk through.
It’s been almost 11 months since Charles Kusko, 48, was killed, and still police have few leads. His daughters want to understand the killer’s motives.
“For me it’s just, why,” Huffstetler said. “Why did he choose to take our dad’s life, because now he won’t be able to see his grandchildren, when we have children. Or walk me down the aisle.”
The killer, Huffstetler said, not only took Kusko’s life, but also a part of his daughters’ lives.
Barnes and Huffstetler last heard of Kusko through a text message on Sept. 3. He also had a short phone conversation with Barnes on that day.
But they didn’t hear from him throughout the weekend. Columbia Police came knocking on his door on Sept. 8 when he failed to show up to a work appointment that morning. A staffer had called for a welfare check.
Richland County Coroner Gary Watts later announced that Kusko was shot in the upper body in his home. His death was ruled a homicide, which remains unsolved.
Crime Stoppers, through Lamar Advertising, has recently placed at least two electronic billboards ads throughout Richland County. They cycle in when there’s a free slot to call for a tip that could result in a cash reward if it leads to an arrest.
Typically rewards are of about $1,000. But Kusko’s daughters have fronted an additional $4,000 in hopes that they can inspire someone’s recollection or encourage someone to step forward.
“Imagine if you were in our shoes, you would want someone to speak up,” Huffstetler said. “Imagine losing your dad.”
Huffstetler and Barnes can’t fathom why someone would’ve killed their father. Kusko was a fun-loving dad, who despite being separated from their mother, was actively involved in their lives.
His daughters remember him as man who was always around when they needed him, and when someone else did, too. Kusko routinely told them how proud he was of their accomplishments.
He attended every single one his daughters’ birthdays, and loved taking pictures of them at every event they shared.
“Any holiday, we’re expecting him and we’re wanting him to be here with us,” Barnes said. “And because someone murdered him — someone chose to take his life — he’s not going to be.”
Now, every eighth of every month is a reminder to both Barnes and Huffstetler that he’s no longer here, and that his killer remains free.
Kusko’s slaying is the only unsolved case on the desk of Columbia police homicide detective Andrew Richbourg. He meets with Barnes monthly to touch base on the case, which has become a source of frustration for him since he doesn’t have a lot of solid leads.
“Some cases are just typically harder than others and this is one of them,” Richbourg said. “I guess this is another reason why it bothers me. I hate not being able to get this family closure.”
Neither sister believes it was a random incident, and Richbourg called it an isolated incident. There was a sign of forced entry into his home, police said.
Until the case is solved, Barnes and Huffstetler said they’ll continue posting something daily, at least on social media, about their dad to keep him in people’s minds. Though they know Kusko is never coming back, they hope that the signs will lead to the arrest of his killer, which can help them at least move forward.
“If you won’t do it for his sake, do it for ours,” Barnes said. “We’re still here. We’re still hurting. We want justice for our dad.”
If you can help
Police are asking for help, even what seems to be the smallest detail, to help solve this homicide.
Anyone with information should contact the Columbia Police or Crimestoppers at 1-800-CRIME-SC. A tip that leads to an arrest can lead to a reward of $5,000. Of that amount, $4,000 were provided by Kusko’s family to encourage someone stepping forward.
www.thestate.com/news/local/crime/article92577667.html
Thoughts?
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