MI MI - Donna Gomez, 22, Lincoln Park, 1 Aug 1985

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Who Killed Donna Gomez? 22ys old Aug. 2 1985 Lincoln Park, MI

Who Killed Donna Gomez?
New Technology May Be Key To Solving Cold Case Murder
POSTED: Wednesday, July 15, 2009
UPDATED: 10:06 am EDT July 16, 2009
<snipped>
A family tragedy has haunted two local families for over 20 years; however, the families and Lincoln Park police hope new technology applied to decades-old evidence will solve the cold case murder of Donna Gomez.

In 1985, the 22-year-old volunteered as a youth track coach, worked as an art teacher and had a passion for painting, often giving pieces to friends and family.

Her family still displays her art throughout their homes.

Gomez is described as bubbly and friendly. She married her high school sweetheart, Dan Gomez, when she was just 18.

The Gomez and Potas families said the two were a happy couple.

“I like Danny when they got married he was very nice and sociable. He was with us, he was part of the family and I think the whole family liked him,” said Donna Gomez’s mother, Terry Potas.

“They were always together. You know, whatever he did and whatever she did, that was just the type of people they were. They just did everything together,” said Dan Gomez’s sister, Delma Ventrello.

Both families’ lives would be irrevocably changed when Donna was murdered and sexually assaulted in August 1985.

Dan Gomez was working nights, Donna would sleep alone most night. Dan came home on Aug. 2, 1985, and found his wife dead in their living room.

There were no signs of a fight, no signs of forced entry; police believe Donna knew her attacker.

But further investigation did not reveal any suspicious people in Donna’s life.

Dan Gomez was questioned extensively which is standard; however, he was cleared of any wrongdoing.

Now, the mystery of Donna Gomez’s murder has lingered for over 20 years.

But Lincoln Park Police Chief Thomas Karnes believes there’s hope officers can find Donna’s killer.

“Things have improved since 1985. Now, trace evidence or hairs that were left behind at the scene can be tracked to an individual,” said Karnes.

Donna’s family hopes and prays for some answers.

“One person knows about this and that’s the person we are looking for,” said Donna’s father, Joe Potas.

“Just please somebody put an end to our grief - we need to know what happened to our Donna,” said Terry Potas.

The family has posted a web site where people can learn more about Donna and offer tips. For more information, visit www.Donna-Unsolved.com.

There’s a $50,000 reward for any information that leads to an arrest in the case.

Crime Stoppers is also offering a $1,000 reward, anyone can leave anonymous tip at 1-800-Speak-Up.


VIDEO: Who Killed Donna Gomez?
http://www.clickondetroit.com/video/20071746/index.html

www.Donna-Unsolved.com.
http://www.donna-unsolved.com/

Article:
http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/20066198/detail.html
 
Police reopen 21-year-old homicide case
Published: Wednesday, March 14, 2007
<snipped>

LINCOLN PARK - A family-run Web site has generated some fresh tips for investigators who remain convinced that a 1985 homicide involving a former high school track coach will be solved.

Donna Gomez, 22, was sexually assaulted and strangled inside her home in the 500 block of Cleveland.

Her husband, Daniel, found her lying in the living room when he returned home from a midnight shift at about 5:20 a.m. Aug. 2, 1985.

He told police he had last seen her alive when he left for work at about 10:30 p.m. the day before.

There were no signs of forced entry, leaving investigators to believe Gomez either knew her killer or was somehow coaxed into letting someone into her home, said police Sgt. Joe Lavis, who is heading the investigation.

While a few items were taken from the house, robbery isn't believed to have been the motive, Lavis said. The family dog was found locked in the bathroom.

"Nothing of super value was taken, but more like souvenir-type items," Lavis said.

Lincoln Park detectives and the Michigan State Police were unable to gather enough evidence at the time to pinpoint any specific person to the crime.

In 1985, DNA tests weren't available, leaving officers with very little to go on. In 1997, a DNA analysis was done. While that provided some information, it wasn't enough to determine a sus-pect.

About two years ago, Lavis said, his office received a call from a Los Angeles detective who was in-vestigating a similar crime.

That case involved a woman who was murdered in 1986 by a man posing as a maintenance worker to get inside her home, Lavis said.

The suspect in that case had ties to Michigan and was believed to be in the state during the time Gomez was killed.

The DNA results didn't match his, however, and he ultimately was cleared of any connections.

Ever since then, detectives have been reviewing the case for new leads, Lavis said.

"We've reorganized the file and have reopened the case, which was never officially closed," he said. "We have since hooked up with the Michigan State Police again and are going through the case together. &#65533; It was a very brutal assault. It appears very solvable."

In the meantime, Gomez's brother, Ken Potas, has created a Web site in hopes of collecting more tips on his sister's murder. The site, donna-unsolved.com, con-tains crime information, photos and a guest book to leave comments.

An aspiring artist who specialized in watercolor, Gomez taught at The Paint Box in Lincoln Park. She also worked at the former Service Merchandise in Southgate.

The night before she was killed, Gomez taught a class at The Paint Box. Cathy Wake also was teaching that evening.

Anyone with information on Gomez's death is asked to contact police by e-mail at jlavis@citylp.com or by phone at 1-313-381-8378.

The family is offering a $50,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for the crime.

"Our suspicions have always been that Donna knew her attacker," Potas said. "We'd like to see that person brought to justice."


Article:
http://thenewsherald.com/articles/2007/03/14/localnews/20070314-archive1.txt

I am a frequent customer of the Paint Box where Donna worked back than & clearly remmeber her & this case from going to the store to buy supplies. As an artist myself this case has always been on my mind & I pray that with the new technology that her murderer will be found. If anyone can help sleuth this case with me I would greatly appreciate anyone's help! TIA

:angel:
 
Fund-raiser for billboard is postponed
July 7, 2009
<snipped>
A fund-raiser dinner to pay for a billboard seeking information about the 1985 slaying of Donna Potas Gomez has been postponed due to low ticket sales.


Gomez, 22, was sexually assaulted and strangled inside her home in the 500 block of Cleveland on Aug. 2, 1985.

As the years pass, her family members &#8212; and particularly her brother, Ken Potas &#8212; are trying to gain closure by helping to solve her murder.

In an effort to do so, Potas and Mary Cross, a friend of Donna's, were organizing a spaghetti dinner fund-raiser to help pay for a billboard displaying Gomez's picture and story to help generate new leads in the case.

The proposed billboard would be located on I-75 at Southfield, according to Cross.

"It will feature a picture of Gomez as well as tips for the case and information about the $50,000 reward," Potas said.

Cross said she and Potas are checking October dates to reschedule the fund-raiser.

"We still want that billboard because we think that it is extremely important," Cross said.

To donate to the Gomez family to help with the investigation, money can be dropped off at any LaSalle Bank under the Donna Potas Gomez Memorial account.


Article:
http://thenewsherald.com/articles/2007/07/06/localnews/20070706-archive.txt

:angel:
 
Donna (Potas) Gomez
Daughter Sister Friend
1985 Unsolved Murder - Lincoln Park, Michigan.

<snipped>
August 2, 1985. There was an unexpected knock on the door followed by &#8221;Mrs. Potas, your daughter is dead, Donna is dead.&#8221; That is how we were awoken in the early morning hours one Friday in August. We were just notified that my sister Donna had been brutally murdered and sexually assaulted in her Cleveland Street home. This crime remains unsolved and a heartache and pain to all of Donna's family.

Donna was found at approximately 5:30 A.M. the morning of August 2nd by her husband Danny as he returned home from his midnight job. There was no sign of forced entry into their home. The family dog was locked in the bathroom.

A wonderful fun loving person has been taken from us all. Donna was an active young woman and an aspiring artist working and teaching at a local art store called the Paint Box. She enjoyed staying involved with the Lincoln Park High School athletic program by coaching the girls high school track team. She was a friend and a leader to many. She will always be missed.

For weeks, then months and now many years the Lincoln Park Police department has kept this case open. Early on hope slowly began to fade and the case seemed to run cold without tips or leads.

A $50,000 reward is being offered for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for this crime. Can you help? If you have any information about this crime please contact the Lincoln Park Police Dept Detectives at (313)381-8378 or via email policetip@citylp.com.


PHOTOS:
http://www.donna-unsolved.com/photos.php

Guest Book/Contact:
http://www.donna-unsolved.com/contact.php

Donate:
The Donna Potas Gomez Memorial fund is collecting donations to be used towards the reward and other case related expenses.

You can help bring Donna&#8217;s killer to justice. Please consider donating to the Donna Potas Gomez Memorial fund.

Donna Potas Gomez Memorial
P.O. Box 2
Carleton, MI 48117

http://www.donna-unsolved.com/donate.php

Helping:
http://www.donna-unsolved.com/helping.php
HOME:
http://www.donna-unsolved.com/

:angel:
 
A letter from her family!

On Saturday, February 17 at 8 PM there's going to be a gathering at Chesley's Bar & Grille. This is located on Fort Street just south of Emmons in Lincoln Park.

The gathering is dedicated to the memory of Donna Potas Gomez. For those that don't remember or haven't heard of Donna, this is her story.

If you have a myspace page, please add Donna's site to your friends list. Her address is www.myspace.com/donnapotasgomez Her brother has a site as well, www.donna-unsolved.com

Donna was brutally murdered in her home sometime between the hours of 10:30 PM August 1, 1985 to 5:30 AM August 2, 1985. To this date her killer is not known. Donna graduated from LP High in 1980. After graduation, she coached the girls track team at LP High, as well as, taught art at The Paint Box. The last time many of her classmates seen her alive was at the five year reunion just a few weeks before she was murdered.

Her family, friends and the police have a deep interest in solving her case. Somebody out there knows something. With this in mind, we want to bring her case back to the public eye with the hopes of jarring someone's memory, and perhaps bringing the killer to surface.

At Chesley's there's going to be flyers for people to pick up. If you own a business or know a business owner, please post the flyer for Donna. If you are interested in visiting area businesses that weekend, please be at Chesley's to sign up. We want the killer to see her flyers everywhere he turns.

If you're planning on being at Chesley's on February 17th, please let us know. They'd like to be aware of how many tables/seating we need.

Donna's myspace account has been up for four weeks and a couple tips have come in. Every tip is important, even if you think it isn't. If you know something, please call the Lincoln Park Police at 313-381-8378.

Thanks for your help.

Friends and Family of Donna Potas Gomez


Here is a local downriver forum that may help us to sleuth some possibilites for finding her murderer! TIA
Remember Me? Donna Potas Gomez - All Downriver Michigan Communities


This case really pulls at my heart because she was murdered possibly on my birthday Aug. 1!! :(

:angel:
 
the anniversary of her murder is fast approaching
 
Donna Potas Gomez

Donna Potas Gomez, 22, was found murdered in her home at 5:30 a.m. on Aug. 2, 1985. Her husband, Dan Gomez, was the one who found her. The two were high school sweethearts. They got married when she was 18 years old.

The Gomez and Potas families told Local 4 in 2009 that the two were a happy couple.

“They were always together. You know, whatever he did and whatever she did, that was just the type of people they were. They just did everything together,” Dan Gomez’s sister, Delma Ventrello, told Local 4 in 2009.

Dan Gomez was working nights when Donna Potas Gomez was murdered. She would sleep alone at night. Dan Gomez came home the night she was killed and found his wife dead in their living room.

“I found no boyfriends, no enemies never found a connection with anybody,” retired Lincoln Park Detective Robert Kish told Local 4 in 2009.
“A wonderful fun loving person has been taken from us all. Donna was an active young woman and an aspiring artist working and teaching at a local art store called the Paint Box. She enjoyed staying involved with the Lincoln Park High School athletic program by coaching the girls’ high school track team. She was a friend and a leader to many. She will always be missed.”
Donna Unsolved website
A reward is being offered for any information that leads to an arrest in the case. You can visit the Donna Unsolved website for more information.
 

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