GAMBIER — “It seems impossible that we could be six months into things, but we still have hope,” Pastor Bob Pelfrey said of the investigation into the homicide of Jean Davis. She was found shot to death outside her Dennis Church Road six months ago Sunday.
Crimes in the Bladensburg area
Featuring a map, image gallery, stories and related videos to the crime wave that struck Southeastern Knox County from 2009 to early 2010.
Pelfrey, who leads Community Christian Fellowship where 54-year-old Davis was a member, said while his congregation is moving forward one day at a time, he stills sees hurt in the eyes of some members of his flock.
“Time passes quickly,” Pelfrey said of the six months which have now passed. “But when anybody brings it up, it brings it right back to the present like it was yesterday.”
Pelfrey said activities, which Davis participated in at the church, will never be the same. He said there has not been a church service since the murder where Jean’s name has not been mentioned, as her absence is felt deeply by those who cared about her.
The pastor said vacation Bible school, which is just beginning for this year, was always important to Jean.
“Jean for years headed up our VBS, and was always very active in it,” he explained. “She directed, led in worship; she was involved in every capacity — that is surely missed.”
Pelfrey said Davis was a part of his ministry for 37 years.
For the law enforcement investigators charged with finding Davis’ killer or killers and bringing them to justice, six months has not diminished the passion with which they are seeking a resolution in which there is little to go on, and no suspects at this point.
“The Davis case remains the priority of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office,” Knox County Sheriff David Barber said last week during an interview about the case.
Barber, and the team of detectives working on the investigation, hope new rewards offered in the case by Licking County Crimestoppers and the Knox County Farm Bureau, could bring fresh information into the tipline.
Pelfrey said Davis’ loved ones are still praying someone with the right information will come forward, allowing the perpetrator(s) to be apprehended.
“Whoever did this, it’s on their conscience everyday if they’ve got one,” he said. “Hopefully they’ll confide in someone, and that person will come forward.”
“God forbid they take another life before they’re caught,” Pelfrey said. “You hope, pray, that some kind of circumstances will bring [an arrest] about.”
Pelfrey said closure in the case would mean troubling questions Jean’s family and friends have asked for months could finally be answered.
“Was this a spur of the moment thing,” he asked. “Was this a kid or an adult? Was it random? Planned?”
Above all, Pelfrey said there are questions only the perpetrators can answer.
“Why did you do this,” he asked. “Why would you take a life?”
He said he hopes one day Davis’ loved ones will have the opportunity to confront her killer, and give the perpetrator some idea of the pain he or she has inflicted.
“You don’t have any idea what you’ve done,” Pelfrey said, his words directed at the killer. “You’ve taken more than a life, you’ve taken a part of this community — that you can’t begin to understand.”
Davis touched many in her church family, according to the pastor. He said a young man at the church, Michael Brooks, recently approached him about planting a tree in Jean’s honor.
Mike Clifton, who owns Eagle Ridge Nursery where Brooks has done some part-time work, said he plans to donate the tree to the church in the fall. Davis lived down the road from Clifton.
He said the tree will be a living memorial to Davis’ life.
With a half year now passed since the murder, Pelfrey said he believes people in the area of the county where the killing happened aren’t as fearful as they were immediately following the incident, but their sadness remains.
“There’s going to be an empty spot for several years to come,” Pelfrey said. “It will never be totally closed.”
Anyone with information on the murder of Davis is encouraged to share it with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office or anonymously through the Licking County Crimestoppers.
LCC has offered a $1,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the assailant(s). The Knox County Farm Bureua has donated an addition $2,500 toward the reward.
Crimestoppers can be reached by calling (740) 349-6888 or toll-free 1-888-488-9058. Those calling Crimestoppers will be asked to make up a numerical identification along with a password. This will be used to determine if information provided results in reward funds. No personal information is necessary.
Information can also be given to the dective division of the KCSO by calling 399-6800.
