Their killer or killers have never been caught. Believing that these murders could not have occurred without someone seeing or hearing something, this morning at a press conference at its Regent Street studio, Channel 5 Managing Director Stewart Krohn announced his company?s intention to provide a $100,000 reward to any person providing information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the killer or killers. The hope is that money will be enough of a motivation for anyone with information to come forward.

Two of the victims, Jackie Malic and Sherilee Nicholas, disappeared in the same area near St. Ignatius School, located on Euphrates Avenue in Belize City, on different days. Sherilee and a schoolmate were on their way to Wesley Methodist School, on Dolphin Street, when, upon reaching Allenby Street, Sherilee turned back and went on Euphrates Avenue instead. She was never seen again.

Jackie and her younger sister were already in St. Ignatius School yard when Jackie turned back and went outside the yard. Like Sherilee, she was never seen again.

In order to maintain the anonymity of tipsters, this initiative is being undertaken with the collaboration of Crime Stoppers Belize, whose international affiliate will be fielding the calls and passing the information to the Belize Police Department.

This morning Chief Operating Officer of Crime Stoppers Belize, Chris Garcia, reinforced that the organisation has a strict policy of anonymity and is in full support of the programme.

Also reiterating a commitment to the case was Deputy Commissioner of Police Maureen Leslie, who says that the murder case files have remained open through the years, although no actionable evidence has yet come in. Leslie maintains that the unsolved crimes is a black mark on the department and hopes that the reward initiative will produce information that will enable them to solve the murders.

Superintendent James Magdaleno, Head of the National Crimes Investigation Branch, has been charged with responsibility for the cases.

A public service announcement advertising the reward initiative was also launched. The station will be providing generic versions of the PSA in video, audio, and print for any media house that wishes to participate.

Present at today?s press conference was June Gabourel, Sherilee Nicholas? mother, and Fabiana Scott, Jackie Malic?s aunt, who spoke on behalf of the families of the murdered victims.

For further information please contact Community Relations Officer Kendra Griffith at 227-3146, 610-3772 or by email at [email protected].