HARRISONVILLE, Mo. - A grieving family looks to the public to help solve a woman’s murder, while police are asking a tipster to call back.
Det. Jeff Cowdrey says they received a tip on Friday into the shooting death of 30-year-old Cara Jo Roberts, of Harrisonville. She was found shot to death last Wednesday inside her home in the 800 block of North Patton Street.
Cowdry is on the 14 member Metro Squad convened to work Harrisonville’s first murder since 2005.
“We feel [the tip] may have some importance,” Cowdry said.
Relatives say Roberts was putting together a new bed for her son in her home. The 2-year-old was with a babysitter.
Her husband, Jeff, found her body in the bathtub at around 5:30 p.m. Police have not said if there appears to be any forced entry.
Police say there was a struggle before Cara died and nothing was taken from her home.
"The fear this leaves you with. You can feel it, you can taste it," said neighbor Diane Patterson.
Neighbors say Cara and Jeff were together more than they were apart. Some say they always seemed in good spirits. The couple was married for four years.
"She was a very pleasant young woman. She always waved and spoke when she saw you. Very positive and upbeat," said Patterson.
Even though Cara's company, Brooke Insurance, just folded on Friday, neighbors say she seemed optimistic.
They can't understand who would want to kill her.
Roberts' family held a tearful candle light vigil Sunday night.
If you have any information on the murder, call the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-TIPS or
submit an anonymous tip online.
