MUSKOGEE, Okla. -- A man's murder remains unsolved in Muskogee after 16 years.
Investigators are still hopeful they will find out who shot and killed James Roberts, then set his mobile home on fire on Jan. 20, 2000.
No traces remain of the horrific crime, but details from that day are still clear in the mind of Lt. Faye Banks.
"[That day] was cold, and it was miserable, but you have to stay and work it," Banks said.
Banks now works for the Muskogee County Sheriff's Office, but back in 2000, she was an investigator for the Muskogee Police Department. She was the first officer on scene when firefighters found James Roberts in his burned out mobile home.
"He was shot several times," said Banks.
Roberts' father still has a hard time believing anyone would want to kill his son.
"You hope every day. You think about it every day. You might cry less," said Ernest Roberts. "Certain things might bring things up, but it's every day."
Roberts says a moment he had a day before his son's death replays over and over again in his mind.
"The weirdest thing, I stopped and looked at him and I thought, well I need to give him a hug and tell him I love him. Well, I'm going to see him tomorrow. Well, I never did," said Roberts.
Investigators say they felt like they came close several times to getting justice for Roberts' death.
"No one would come forth and really tell us enough to file charges," Banks said. "They would tell us little bits and pieces, but they won't testify. They won't write statements. They just say, 'I'll tell you a little bit, but not the whole thing.'"
"Oh, I felt like I was right at the top, but I couldn't get over the hill," she added about possibly making arrests in the case. "It was just that close."
Even though there have still been no arrests, those closest to the investigation remain hopeful it will soon come to an end and bring some closure to Roberts' family.
"Maybe somebody will remember something and come forth," said Banks.
Muskogee police ask anyone with information that can help solve this cold case to call (918) 682-COPS.
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