The family of a woman murdered exactly 20 years ago in San Diego is pleading for information on the cold case that only gets more difficult with each passing day.
“It’s been 20 years, and we’re still here,” said father James Odom, referring to the deadly, unsolved shooting of his daughter, Crystal Odom. “It gets harder every day. Every day is like the first day.”
According to the San Diego Police Department’s Homicide Unit, Crystal was gunned down on the corner of 65th and Akins streets in southeastern San Diego on April 29, 1995. She was driving her car at the time of the deadly shooting, accompanied by her fiancé and 10-month-old baby girl.
Her fiancé and baby survived the shooting, but Crystal did not.
To this day, her murder remains a mystery.
Her father and mother, Gloria Jimenez, said their pain has only grown over time. The grieving parents said Wednesday that they will never give up seeking justice for their daughter.
“Our desire, enthusiasm and ambition is still the same. We won’t stop until this case is solved,” said James, urging anyone with information on the murder to step forward with their tips, no matter how big or small.
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“The people that did this to my daughter – they need to pay for this,” added Jimenez. “It is very painful, every day. I just want peace; I just want justice. We all want to move on with our lives.”
“Please, help us solve this case,” Jimenez pleaded.
[G] San Diego's Unsolved Cold Cases
Though two decades have passed, Crystal’s family feels her loss every day. That feeling is especially true for her surviving daughter, who is now in her early 20s.
Crystal’s daughter was brought to tears Wednesday when discussing her mother’s murder. She held up a poster with her mother's photo for all to see.
“Spread the word to stop the violence,” she told reporters. “Violence is useless.”
As they have done for many years, Crystal’s family and friends visited her grave on the anniversary of her murder.
The SDPD and Crime Stoppers have issued new flyers containing details on the cold case in hopes of generating fresh leads. Anyone with information should contact the SDPD Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at (619) 580-8477. Tipster can remain anonymous.
