SHAVERTOWN, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Investigators say it was one of the most violent murders they have ever seen. Despite the passage of 14 years, the case is still active.
56-year-old Jonathan Balester was stabbed to death inside his Shavertown, Luzerne County home in May of 2011. The killer has never been found.
The I-Team's Andy Mehalshick takes a look at the cold case investigation and talks with Balester's sister, who wants answers as to why no one has been arrested.
Investigators say it was one of the most vicious murders they have ever seen and it's a crime scene they will never forget.
And 14 years later, the killer remains at large.
56-year-old Jonathan Balester was stabbed to death inside his Luzerne County home.
State police say they do have a suspect and say they are confident that one day an arrest will be made, but Balester's sister tells me she just wants justice for her brother.
"Well, it's very discouraging. It's very difficult for the family. My mother died without knowing what happened or who did it or anything which really hurts," expressed Heather Balester, sister of murder victim.
Heather Balester says not a day goes by when she doesn't think about her brother Jonathan.
The 56-year-old was stabbed to death inside his home on North Lehigh street in Shavertown in May of 2011. State police say the investigation has never been put on a shelf.
"Like any other cold case we're still investigating so we're always looking for new information, always asking the public if they know anything. Anything they can submit to us that you can help solve this case or other cases. While it's a cold case, it's still something we're actively investigating," stated Trooper Bill Evans, state police Wilkes-Barre.
Mehalshick asked, "What can you say about a possible suspect?
Evans said, "What we can tell you at this time we have at least one suspect. We can't elaborate on the details of how many or who or what the circumstances might be, but I can tell you we have at least one suspect right now."
"Do you have a person in mind, a possible suspect that person probably had something to do with it," asked Mehalshick.
"Yes," Balester confirmed.
"And you passed information out to police," asked Mehalshick.
"Yes," Balester confirmed.
I went back to the neighborhood Thursday. One neighbor, who didn't want to appear on camera told me:
"We think about why this hasn't it been solved. We don't fear for ourselves at this house or the neighbors. We just need to know who did this and why," added a nearby neighbor.
The Balester family is offering a $5,000 reward as is PSPtips.com for information that leads to an arrest. State police urge anyone with information about the murder to contact them, you do not have to give your name.
