Tragic Murder, Family still searching for answers

Throughout life you make a connection with certain people that never goes away, regardless of how often you see them, talk to them etc. Well there is a family that is near and dear to my heart and has been since I was in the 5th grade. This is the Rector family. In 5th grade April moved to Farmland and became friends. We played softball together and her family took me to church with them at Union Chapel. Well that same year, in 5th grade, my mom was killed in a tragic car accident. Well my dad was working nights and every other weekend so my brother and I stayed with different friends and family members while he worked. April's parents, Garth and Angie, were ever so kind as to offer to help my dad out. So I remember spending countless nights at their house while dad worked. I always remember before we went to bed every night they would sing us a song and we would all pray together and I always thought that was so neat! As we got older April and I went our separate ways, but we were always cool with each other and always talked when we saw each other.

In 2003 Garth and Angie were involved in a head on collision. Garth was life lined to Methodist hospital in Indy and Angie was taken to Ball. Garth spent a few weeks, 3 or 4 I think (but not sure) in the hospital, with a broken jaw, pelvis and other critical injuries, but he fully recovered. Angie also was hospitalized and spent several months in the ICU at Ball before making a miraculous recovery (one that the doctors were even assured was only by the grace of God, pretty cool.). So during this time I again reconnected with the family of whom I was so close with growing up. I spent countless hours visiting at the hospital and praying. This reconnection I had with the Rectors seemed liked we had never been a part. They hold such a special place in my heart after all the tragedy our two families had been through. And after all, they had supported my family through our tragedy, it was only fitting to do the same for them.

Well then comes March of 2008. I open up the news paper to see that Garth had been murdered! MURDERED?! I think, "how could this happen to such a great guy?" I attended Garth's calling and funeral and I think it was the most heart breaking thing I have ever been to in my life. There were people lined up waiting for over an hour to get in to the viewing. And the line remained that steady all night long. You see, Garth was our softball coach growing up, he coached wrestling at Muncie Central and he also coached his nephews in freestyle wrestling. So over the years Garth touched the lives of many young people. Garth was also actively involved in his church, Union Chapel, where again he had impacted many people. It is so hard to not understand why these things happen to good people. I again reconnected with the Rector family during their time of grief and happiness because they knew that Garth was with the Lord.

Since Garth's murder, Garth's family has believed to know who the killer is, however 6 months later no one has been arrested due to detectives still not having enough information to make an arrest. Garth's family is holding a fund raiser event called "Garth Fest" at 1 p.m. Saturday October 12 at Springwater Park, 5000 E. Centennial Ave. Bands, including Cook and Belle, will play at the hog roast. Money will be raised to offer a reward to arrest the suspect. The money from the event, which costs $5 for admission to the concert, and an additional $5 for the hog roast, will be added to money already donated to a fund at Old National Bank, The Garth G. Rector Reward Fund, which has already accumulated $1,700. If you don't have any plans on Saturday and would like to help this family put a murderer behind bars please come out and support this event!

The starpress reported today that the police have narrowed it down to two suspects but they still need more information to put someone behind bars. Investigators will be on hand Saturday to talk to anyone who might have information to lead to an arrest.

Please pray for this family that the person who murdered their loved one will be brought to justice so that their hearts may begin to rest and heal.