Powell family: 'It's gotten harder'

WALKER, Mich. (WOOD) - It was one year ago that Jamie Powell was found shot and killed in her Walker apartment. Her family -- and police -- are still looking for answers.

Powell, 30, was found on March 5, 2011 after a neighbor reported a suspicious situation at the Old Orchard Apartment complex. Detectives told 24 Hour News 8 the neighbor spotted someone crawling out of Powell's apartment, and the shooting did not appear to be connected to a robbery.

Now, a heart-shaped garden featuring angel statues and candles in Powell's mother's yard stands in memory to her.

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Tonight at 11 p.m. on WOOD: Jamie Powell's family speaks with 24 Hour News 8 about how they've lived the last year and what they fear could happen as time goes on.

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"I think I've reflected on the whole day on the way it played out that afternoon, when our sister Jessie called us and told us they'd found a woman shot and killed in Jamie's apartment," said Powell's sister Jennifer.

Detectives are still looking for Powell's killer and call this one of the most complex cases they've ever seen. But the lead detective told 24 Hour News 8 that she's confident the killer will be caught.

When 24 Hour News 8 sat down with Powell's four sisters and parents in October 2011, they pleaded for someone to come forward.

"I don't think it's fair that they get to walk around and live their life like nothing happened and they completely stopped ours," Jennifer said in October.

The family's message hasn't changed. And as time goes on, the Powells worry Jamie's case will be forgotten.

While their family mourns without answers, a killer still roams free.  

"If they were in my shoes, how would they feel?" asked Powell's sister Ashley. "You took my sister from me for your own reasons -- to save yourself, apparently."

And though it might seem that time would help the wound heal, the Powells disagree.

"I think it's gotten harder," said Jennifer. "As every day goes by, you don't have her to talk to."