Hi everyone.
I am Kathy Jones's cousin. I am NOT the cousin that commented on one of the linked articles, just to be clear about that.
I know it looks like no one cares about Kathy, but we love her. However, many people in my family have died. Everyone I can think of that really knew anything about this case has died.
Some of the information I have conflicts with some comments by other family members. I am not sure which one of us is right because there is no one left to ask who would know for certain. For example, the man they discuss.. I have a different last name for him. I don't know if there are two Darryls or what the deal is with that. Some people feel he is not the one, but I don't know why the conflict of opinions (these would be people who actually knew him to some degree). Other people believe absolutely he is. I really do not know what to think.
I know the police arrested one of the suspects for some more minor charge (not related to Kathy) and had an informer in the holding cell with him to see if he said anything. Apparently, they didn't find out anything because they weren't able to arrest him for Kathy.
Kathy's mother Nora died quite a few years ago. Her father also died. Her grandmother and all of her aunts and uncles have died. Her younger brother died. Her great aunts and uncles have died. Some of her cousins have died.
Kathy's mother Nora had two sisters Linda and Faye. They were all very close. They were sweet and kind people, but tended to get stressed. Being questioned through the years to go over the same details of the case was very hard on them because they did not really understand the police were hoping to find a new detail. Unfortunately, none of them really knew anything more than they had said (as far as I know, but I will say they were not the types of conceal information... so, I feel certain they said everything they knew). All three of these women experienced ill health and died before their time. I would not be surprised if the heartbreak over Kathy had something to do with it.
So, then the police began to question Kathy's younger brother Kelly. Now, he was very young when Kathy died. But, I guess he was the only person they had. However, this was very difficult on Kelly because he had a young daughter about Kathy's age by then. I do not know if he remembered anything about Kathy's murder because he was only a baby. I think they were hoping someone had told him something and if he could remember that person then maybe they'd have a new source of information.
So, the police worked the case. But, the people they had to question honestly had very little information. Kathy left one day and did not come home. Nora called the police to report Kathy missing when Kathy didn't come home on time. The police thought at first she was with "a little boyfriend". But, she was really too young for that. And she was a good girl who would not have worried her mother so much with her mother at home with a baby. So, there was a delay getting started on her case. I don't know how long of a delay. I am sure for Nora it seemed like an extremely long time because her daughter was missing.
The person who had Kathy kept her for a while. My father was told by a "nurse" (I do not know who this person was, but she examined Kathy's body) that Kathy had been "beaten by someone with big fists". My father was really bothered by this, obviously, because who could beat up a little girl? Even worse, they had to break Kathy's legs to put her in the coffin. I hope that is not too horrible to mention. But, I grew up knowing that.
A man claimed he'd killed Kathy when he threatened a little boy. I do not know the man's name or the boy's name. I do know the boy got away from the man and went and told his parents. His parents called the police and the man was investigated. The man had some connection to the skating rink, but I do not know what.
Anyway, I know I am hardly a fount of information. But, I wanted to join so people would know why the information on Kathy is so skimpy. I will try to find out more.
This is an extremely painful subject in my family. People are honestly heartbroken to this day about our Kathy.
I hope anyone who has info will be forthcoming in the future. Rest in peace, Kathy.