With a feeling of hopelessness, the families of unsolved murder victims are banding together to make Gov. Mike Foster take action.
The families are asking area residents to sign a petition asking the governor to allocate $1 million to hire an additional 20 men to help in the serial killer investigation.
The petition also asks the governor to make the Multi-Agency Homicide Task Force a state-run task force under the governor office to be headed by someone of his choice.
“It is time for the state to take the lead and direction of the investigation,” the petition said.
Jackie Robert, 2001 murder victim Geralyn DeSoto’s aunt, said they started the petition because they feel they have run out of resources.
DeSoto is one of at least 10 unsolved murder victims with an LSU connection. Her family said she applied to graduate school Jan. 14, 2002 — the day she was murdered.
Robert said if the governor made the investigation a state-run investigation, it would create an authority and one person would be in charge.
“This does not mean to take off the men who have been working on the case,” she said. “But, have one person in charge.”
The governor was at a task force briefing March 18 to pledge his support for the task force and its investigation.
At the briefing, he said he would make all resources available to help the task force get information out to the public. He said he also would make use of his press office to disseminate information on a more current basis.
He also said money and personnel would not be a problem when protecting the community.
Alexis Ray, a medical technology freshman, said she believes the governor should give the investigation more money to support their efforts and give out more information.
“They should make it a statewide operation to keep everyone safe,” Ray said.
Robert said she believes Foster is not doing everything he could, and the petition will hopefully move him in the right direction.
“They haven’t done anything,” Robert said. “They have refused outside help. Unless we get petitions going and students rallying, nothing will be done.”
Deanna Mattos, a finance freshman, said the state should be doing everything possible to keep people safe.
“There should be no reason to continue living scared,” Mattos said.
DeSoto’s family requested a meeting with Foster in August, but they were denied. They filed for another meeting March 27 but have not heard whether the governor granted their request.
They requested to meet with the governor to present documents to show why the state needs to take control of the investigation. They hope the governor gets a better understanding on what is needed and what is going on within the investigation.
Robert said the families have been “screaming” through rallies but they do not think anyone has listened.
“The families feel if we can get petitions going, they would hire more people to work on the task force,” Robert said.
Signed petitions can be mailed to Justice For Serial Killer Victims at 4041 Williams Blvd. Suite A-9 Box 296, Kenner, La. 70065. Petitions also can be brought to the next serial killer rally.
The families will hold rallies on the steps of the state Capitol April 27, May 18 and June 22 at 3 p.m.
For a copy of the petition, e-mail [email protected].