Does someone in Four States know who murdered
16-year-old Nicole Markley in 2003?
William Hammond was charged with first degree
murder six months after Nicole’s death, but prosecutors dropped the charges
five months later.
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| Nicole Markley |
Nicole’s mother, Sherry Quinn, posted on Monday:
“Wanted to say thanks to my husband Jeff Quinn and Nicole's
son and Steven and my grandkids and Justin and all the family that helped at
Nicole's memorial. To keep it nice and her memory alive. Love you all so much.
Thank you isn't enough and for all the love and support from you all.”
Georgia Quinn is
Nichole’s sister and Sherry and Jeff’s daughter.
The WBOY-TV
article about Nichole’s murder:
By Melissa Murray, WBOY-TV Marion & Taylor County Reporter
It is a fourteen year-long nightmare playing on repeat.
Sherry Quinn's daughter, Nicole Markley, went missing in late January 2003
at the age of 16. That is when an all-out search started in their hometown of
Four States, just outside of Worthington.
"I remember just all of us being in the back of trucks looking for her
in ditches, up along streets, anywhere we could go, walking the hills,"
said Terri Harris, Markley’s cousin.
About two weeks later, on February 1, 2003, a hunter found her body face
down in the Teverbaugh Creek.
Three months later, the Marion County Sheriff at that time warned the
public of how serious the case was.
"We are investigating this as a homicide," former Sheriff Junior
Slaughter said.
12 News reported that autopsy results revealed her cause of death was
drowning and deputies said they were confident Markley was murdered.
In July of 2003, 20-year-old William Hammond was charged with first degree murder after deputies then said he tried to rape Markley and then drowned her. Prosecutors dropped those charges against the Four States resident five months later.
In July of 2003, 20-year-old William Hammond was charged with first degree murder after deputies then said he tried to rape Markley and then drowned her. Prosecutors dropped those charges against the Four States resident five months later.
In December of 2003, Former Marion County Prosecuting Attorney, Susan
Riffle, said "We felt the case needed more investigation. We felt
the best thing for the victim and for justice was to dismiss the indictment
without prejudice."
"I flipped out. I couldn't believe it," said Christine Hall,
Markley’s Aunt, about the charges being dropped.
No further charges have been filed in the case.
"There’s still no justice for her and they still get to live out here
in life and do what they want and possibly hurt someone again. There is no
reason in this world that anyone should have a right to take someone else's
life," Quinn said.
Detective Kevin Alkire said people in the community of Four States are
staying tight-lipped.
"I would say probably someone in Four States, or more than one
individual, probably has information about this case and we can just hope one
day they'll come forward," Alkire said.
Now, the family remembers Markley through visits to her memorial.
"Every day we wonder, you know, is today the day that they're going to
find something out and let her rest finally after fourteen years. Let her son
have closure after fourteen years," Harris said.
Markley’s mother said her daughter's death will always haunt her.
"It's horrifying,” Quinn said. “You never look at the world the same
again. You watch everyone else's kids when you're out. You watch your
kids."
Her simple absence is what hurts the most, she said.
"It’s like a piece of you is gone. There’s no way to get it
back," Quinn explained.
Family members have mixed emotions about whether the case will ever be
closed.
"I’m confident they're going to solve it," Hall said.
"I pray that they solve it but really I’ve lost confidence in the
system," Harris said.
Det. Alkire said no matter how long it takes, they will continue to
investigate.
"It hasn't been forgotten. She’s not forgotten and we're doing
everything that we can to come to a resolution," Alkire said.
Nicole’s mother said she thanks everyone who has showed love and support to
her family, and that there is not a day that goes by that she does not think of
Nicole. For now, she tries to keep the memories she has alive.
"Her smile. How kind she was to everybody. She enjoyed life. That’s
what i'm wanting them to remember," Quinn said.
Anyone with information regarding the murder of Nicole Markley is asked
to call the Marion County Sheriff’s Department at 304-367-5300.
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