Thursday, December 13 2012 3:34 PM EST2012-12-13 20:34:14 GMT
On a typical mid-December day on Eastern Michigan University's campus, students are studying for final exams before Christmas break. But not on Thursday as students react to the murder of 23-year-old Julia Niswender.
On a typical mid-December day on Eastern Michigan University's campus, students are studying for final exams before Christmas break. But not on Thursday as students react to the murder of 23-year-old Julia Niswender.
Wednesday, December 12 2012 11:05 PM EST2012-12-13 04:05:25 GMT
23-year-old Julia Niswender, an aspiring broadcaster and student at EMU, was found murdered inside her apartment near the university by Ypsilanti Police.
23-year-old Julia Niswender, an aspiring broadcaster and student at EMU, was found murdered inside her apartment near the university by Ypsilanti Police.
By Taryn Asher Fox 2 News
YPSILANTI, Mich. (WJBK) -- "I said, 'I love you, and I'll see you later,'" said Jennifer Niswender.
That was Sunday night and the last conversation she had with her twin Julia, a 23-year-old communications major at Eastern Michigan University. Julia was found dead Tuesday night inside her apartment on Huron River Drive in Ypsilanti. Her death is being investigated as a homicide.
"I had a feeling. When you have a twin, you just know, and I was so wishing it wasn't true," Jennifer Niswender said.
"I could feel it in my gut. I just screamed and screamed and screamed. I couldn't believe that it was Julia," said grandmother Rose Niswender.
Family and friends are heartbroken and left with a lot of questions since police seem to have little to go on.
The autopsy has been completed, but at this point it isn't revealing much. Toxicology results are not expected back for three weeks.
Police say Julia's body was discovered inside her locked apartment with no outward signs of trauma, but there were some indicators of foul play.
Her family claims they didn't notice anything missing from her apartment, and they have no idea who would want to harm Julia.
"She was such a loving, trusting person, too trusting, obviously. She was so full of life," her grandmother said.
"Everybody she touched, everybody she talked to, you just fell in love with her, and justice will be served. I will make sure," said her sister.
As the family waits for answers from Ypsilanti Police, who say they are following several leads, Eastern Michigan University is taking every precaution and providing counseling for students and extra police patrols on campus.
"I just hope that she is in heaven now and looking down on me, and I'm going to live every day through her," Jennifer Niswender said.
The family is so thankful for the outpouring of support. They said they have received several phone calls, text messages and Facebook posts to get them through this very difficult time.
If you would like to help with funeral expenses, the family said a fund has been established under Julia Niswender's name. Donations can be made at any Monroe Bank and Trust branch.
Question and Answer
SHERRY MARGOLIS: Have police told you why they suspect foul play in this case?
ASHER: They're not being specific. They're just saying indicators at this point and any other detail they're keeping really close to the vest. Right now, though, police do tell me that this case remains a mystery, a lot of questions. They brought in Michigan State Police, and right now as they work several leads, they plan to talk to family, friends, coworkers, people she knew, people she lived with... at the Peninsula Place Apartments, anybody that might help bring them the smallest detail to find out what may have happened to Julia.
Thursday, May 16 2013 7:58 PM EDT2013-05-16 23:58:47 GMT
35-year-old Sabrina Gianino was found dead inside her boyfriend's flat on Wayburn in Grosse Pointe Park just after midnight on Wednesday. Police are calling the death suspicious.
35-year-old Sabrina Gianino was found dead inside her boyfriend's flat on Wayburn in Grosse Pointe Park just after midnight on Wednesday. Police are calling the death suspicious.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 10:59 PM EDT2013-05-16 02:59:09 GMT
Warren police raided a pet store described as a little shop of horrors. The owner is not only accused of keeping animals in filthy conditions, but keeping them in a building without working utilities.
Warren police raided a pet store described as a little shop of horrors. The owner is not only accused of keeping animals in filthy conditions, but keeping them in a building without working utilities.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 11:01 PM EDT2013-05-15 03:01:56 GMT
We're told a woman from New York was attacked near the Majestic Theatre while trying to help someone in need. Sources say she was then carjacked, kidnapped, robbed and sexually assaulted before she escaped.
We're told a woman from New York was attacked near the Majestic Theatre while trying to help someone in need. Sources say she was then carjacked, kidnapped, robbed and sexually assaulted before she escaped.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:55 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:55:04 GMT
"We intend to build cars in North America for [the] North American market, build cars in Europe for the European market and build them in Asia for the Asian market," said Don Graunstadt.
"We intend to build cars in North America for [the] North American market, build cars in Europe for the European market and build them in Asia for the Asian market," said the CEO of North American Operations for the electric car company.
Friday, May 17 2013 10:19 PM EDT2013-05-18 02:19:58 GMT
It can creep up on you without you realizing it. One day you step on the scale and you're obese. That's what happened to a St. Clair Shores woman who never though she would lose the weight.
It can creep up on you without you realizing it. One day you step on the scale and you're obese. That's what happened to a St. Clair Shores woman who never though she would lose the weight.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:43 PM EDT2013-05-18 00:43:34 GMT
Sabrina Gianino was found dead with a cord around her neck inside a Grosse Pointe Park home early Thursday morning. The medical examiner has ruled her death a homicide.
Sabrina Gianino was found dead with a cord around her neck inside a Grosse Pointe Park home early Thursday morning. The medical examiner has ruled her death a homicide.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:48 PM EDT2013-05-17 23:48:59 GMT
A Molotov cocktail was thrown through a kitchen window of a waterfront mansion on Whittier Street in Grosse Pointe Park around 3:20 a.m. Friday. Fortunately, someone inside put it out.
A Molotov cocktail was thrown through a kitchen window of a waterfront mansion on Whittier Street in Grosse Pointe Park around 3:20 a.m. Friday. Fortunately, someone inside put it out.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:26 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:26:25 GMT
Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan urged Detroit's pastors and majority black population Friday to join him in an effort to buy neglected properties and take other steps to help revitalize the struggling city.
Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan urged Detroit's pastors and majority black population Friday to join him in an effort to buy neglected properties and take other steps to help revitalize the struggling city where the movement started more than 80 years ago.
