Brazil, Jan. 9 (AP) - State police have reopened an investigation into an unsolved 1988 double slaying and are focusing their attention on the 16-year-old girl who died in the shotgun attack with her stepfather.
Tonya Pickett, 16, and Ricky Mustard, 32, were shot to death on the cold, rainy night of Nov. 18, 1988, in the family's home in Brazil.
The original investigation, conducted by the Indiana State Police and the Brazil City Police Department, did not result in any arrests.
The Indiana State Police Cold Case Homicide Team has begun reviewing the murders, detectives said at a news conference Friday.
"We have developed a new suspect in the case that is meriting our attention at this point," said Sgt. M.L. Allcron.
New information has prompted investigators to shift their focus from that of the original investigation, Detective Alan McElroy said.
"The original investigation focused primarily on the death of Ricky Mustard. However, we would like to talk to anyone who might have seen or talked to Tonya that Friday," McElroy said.
The girl attended a basketball game and dance at Northview High School the night of the slayings, McElroy said. Investigators are trying to piece together events at the home between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. on the night of the slayings.
Cheryl Pickett, the mother of the slain girl, attended the news conference.
"This has weighed really heavy on me for 15 years and I'm hoping to find justice so I can find some closure in this. She was a terrific daughter, the best that I could have ever expected," said
Clay County Prosecuting Attorney David Thomas said he could not comment on the new investigation but confirmed his office was helping with it.
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