The body of 11-year-old Jodi Parrack was found in a Constantine cemetery Thursday night, Nov. 8, 2007. Police believe someone abducted the girl as she rode her bike home from a friend's house, then killed her. (Photo provided)
Story Created:
Nov 10, 2007 at 9:27 PM EST
Story Updated:
Mar 28, 2008 at 5:22 PM EST
(WSBT) Investigators are working around the clock trying to find answers in the death of 11-year-old Jodi Parrack. She disappeared Thursday afternoon and her body was found a few hours later in the Constantine Township Cemetery.
As some would say, it's a perfect example of small town, middle America.
"It just seems like everyone knows everyone," said Tommy Sicard.
News of Parrack's death sent shockwaves through Constantine. People can't stop talking or reading about it, especially at popular spots like Harvey's House diner.
"Oh everyone bought the newspaper this morning when I came into work. A lot of rumors going around," said Sicard, who owns Harvey's House. "A lot of people … it’s just on their minds constantly."
And at the busiest salon in town, it's no different.
"Obviously there's always a lot of talk when something like this happens," said Lasting Impressions owner Denise Miller.
Police continued their investigation Saturday by canvassing the area for answers. Two days after the little girl's death, police have little new information and continue to offer few details.
"The manner of which it happened I can't divulge and I don't even know if he's made that determination," St. Joseph County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Holly Curtis said at a news conference on Saturday.
"Someone did say that they had seen a dark pickup in the cemetery or near the cemetery sometime close to where the body was located," said Constantine Police Chief Mark Honeysett.
As the murder continues to go unsolved, this tight-knit town is left on edge and searching for answers themselves.
"We want to what happened and why it happened,” said Sicard.
"Everybody's nervous. Everybody's uptight, not really knowing how to feel about the town," said Miller. "Nothing like this has ever happened in small, little Constantine."
Police haven't named any suspects.
They're asking for people to look out for a dark-colored pick-up truck -- possibly like a Ford Ranger. They say they've received reports it was seen in or near the cemetery close to when the girl's body was found.
Police are also warning people about reports of suspicious activity in Mattawan and Cassopolis, but are not saying whether those reports are connected to Jodi Parrack's death.
So far, police have received 150 tips and are following up on all of them. They say they're looking for any information the public can provide. Police have set up a call center so they can better retrieve and organize the information coming in. The numbers are: (269) 435-4355 or (269) 467-4195.
Thursday, Oct 30 at 3:26 PM mariah { jodi best friend} wrote ...
we all love and miss you for ever and will find him soon i hope so he dont do it again to some else kid we are still crying but we stop after a while and all your friends love you