Posted on 06/18/2008 2:20:34 PM PDT by murdoog
A reward for information leading police to the killer of UNC Charlotte student Irina "Ira" Yarmolenko increased to $15,000 Tuesday, thanks to a contribution from Gov. Mike Easley's office.
Two passing jet skiers found the body of Yarmolenko lying next to her crashed car on the banks of the Catawba River in Mount Holly May 5, three days after her 20th birthday.
Mount Holly detectives have not identified any suspects. Police are awaiting the results of crime scene evidence analyzed at the state's laboratory.
That evidence or new information received in response to rewards from the state and UNC Charlotte could provide police with missing pieces of this puzzling murder mystery.
"We wanted to offer the reward to help keep this case in the public eye," said Police Chief David Belk. "We hope that this reward will encourage people who have information about this case to come forward."
Yarmolenko's brother Pavel Yarmolenko said his family is grateful for and encouraged by the state's $5,000 contribution. Last month, UNC Charlotte offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the killer.
The Yarmolenko family is beginning to accept their loss, but that acceptance comes with an intense desire to see her killer brought to justice, Pavel Yarmolenko said.
"Our lives are basically taken up thinking of my sister's killer and what he's done instead of mourning my sister's death," he said. "We're pulling through. We're going to make it."
Tips can be made anonymously, police said. Anyone with information is asked to call the Mount Holly Police Department at 704-827-4343.
Wasnt there a killing there of another college student in the past few months? Bullet to the head?
Are you talking about Eve Carson?
Irina had just celebrated her 20th birthday on May 2, just three days before her murder. Investigators say her friends had thrown a party for “Ira,” but in keeping with her character, Ira had cooked for everyone at her own party.
This was very typical of her. I used to see her come into the coffee shop where she worked shortly before closing to help the people working there clean up so they could get out more quickly. She was one of the most giving people I have ever met.
I think so. there were two killings with in days and one was near this location.
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