One year after his wife was kidnapped and murdered, James Redmond has no answers from police, and no suspect is behind bars.
The Kearns diesel mechanic, who is raising two kids on his own, has gone on with the business of his life.Redmond's wife, Lisa Redmond, 36, was killed Dec. 9, 1996. She was run over by her own pickup truck by an unknown assailant. She was last seen alive at 9:45 p.m. as she left to make her final run of the night as a pizza delivery person for a West Valley Pizza Hut restaurant, 3390 S. 5600 West.
Her body was spotted by a motorist about 10 minutes later at 3100 S. 5200 West.
Detectives from West Valley police and the FBI have worked on the case for a year but have not made an arrest.
At the request of police, Redmond marked the anniversary of his wife's death Tuesday by holding a press conference to urge anyone with information about the case to come forward.
He and his children, Nathan, 7, and Megan, 9, also visited the spot where his wife's body was found.
Police believe information is available. But as of Thursday morning, this most recent plea for help has generated only one phone call to West Valley police but no solid leads, detective Tracy Cowley said.
Redmond said he knows police haven't quit the case, but he doesn't hold out hope for any breaks or new information.
"Most of the time I'm a very optimistic person, the glass is always half full, but with this, I just think if they haven't got him by now, they're not going to," he said. "But I did (hold the press conference) because you can't give up; you can't not try."
He also can't dwell on his loss, Redmond said. The job of being both mother and father to his children and keeping a household running is a big one. Evenings at the Redmond house are busy with home-work. Chores such as laundry, vacuuming and dusting are saved for the weekend.
"We have a schedule, and the kids help," Redmond said. "But I'm sometimes up late at night sewing a button on Nathan's shirt."
Megan is on the honor roll. Nathan is too young for letter grades but also excels in school. Both kids have been in counseling since their mother's death and seem to be doing well, Redmond said.