Family looks back on one year anniversary of double murder

by Leanne Tokars (ltokars@wsbt.com)

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Police say Lisa Mora's husband Omar Mora shot and killed her and another man in Warsaw

Lisa Mora is pictured with her son Jovan. Police say Lisa's husband Omar Mora shot and killed her and another man in Warsaw in May 2007. They are still looking for Omar Mora. (Photo provided)

By WSBT News1

Story Created: May 23, 2008 at 4:21 PM EST

Story Updated: May 27, 2008 at 10:41 PM EST

WINONA LAKE — A family is looking back on the one year anniversary of their daughter’s death — an unsolved murder that grabbed national attention.

Police say Omar Mora shot and killed his wife Lisa in Kosciusko County along with another man they believe she had been involved with. They haven't seen Mora since.

Friday marks the one year anniversary of the murders and a day when Lisa’s family is celebrating her life.

“She was really a wonderful mother,” said Lisa’s mother Linda Bowdler. “She was very good with her boys. She loved them very much."

For the last year Lisa's parents, Bill and Linda Bowdler, have taken care of her and Omar's two sons — 8-year-old Jovan and 3- year-old Adrian.

“What Adrian knows if we ask about mommy is ‘Mommy's in heaven,’” said Linda.

It's been a long journey for this family.

Lisa was shot in front of her mother and one of her sons at her Kosciusko County home.

Local and federal authorities searched for Omar Mora. They located his truck in Chicago. The story was also featured on “America’s Most Wanted.”

But no one's seen him since, and Lisa's parents don't expect to see him again.

“I think he walked away from this life and has gone someplace to begin a new life,” said Linda.

That is one of their biggest concerns. They worry that if Mora has a new wife and a new child, this could happen again.

But their biggest focus this year has been their family. They describe the year as one of adjustment and emotion.

“There are times for me when I get a chance to be alone at night, when everyone's in bed, just to reflect,” said Linda. “And of course there's been plenty of tears, plenty of heartache."

But they’ve also found hope and strength from their faith.

They say they don't seek justice, but closure.

“We're not people that are seeking revenge or full of depression. We don't want the past to rob us of the joy of the present,” explained Linda.

It is joy found now in two little boys and a life that is celebrated.

This is how 8-year-old Javon describes it.

“One time he said it was a joyful ache — so he's happy but there's that hurt deep inside,” said Linda.

Police in Kosciusko County say the tips they get are more sporadic now, but they follow up on any information.

They are working with the U.S. Marshals office and say they're in constant contact with Mora's family.

They say if he's in Mexico, he could have easily changed identities.

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