JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – First Coast Crime Stoppers held a digital conference to highlight the cold case of a Jacksonville woman who was murdered in 1999.
The executive director is hoping that by using social media, they can reach a wider audience. He’s also hoping that when people watch the digital series, it sparks a memory they might have forgotten, then they submit that anonymous tip, which can lead to solving a case.
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Julia Vegas, 39, was a Hispanic woman born Nov. 3, 1960. She was also a mother to three children.
On Nov. 26, 1999, she was stabbed to death in a shed located at 1438 Hubbard Street in the Springfield area of Jacksonville.
The shed where Vegas was found no longer exists, but officials encouraged people to visit the street and see if it looks familiar.
Bernice and her family members are pleading for anyone to come forward with answers surrounding the death of her sister.
She said it means more than anyone would know for her sisters’ case to kick things off.
“I hope that it has an ending that is the one we’re expecting, that’s why we need the community to really help us. Somebody out there knows something,” Bernice said.
She said her murderer caused a lot of pain to the family and Vegas’ children.
“When you took her away, you took away the possibility for her children to enjoy their mother. You took away my possibility of having memories with my sister. You caused a lot of pain,” Bernice said.
Vegas’ sisters and her best friend described the 39-year-old as funny, someone who was always there to hear your problems and a person who would talk to anyone.
Her other sister, Karina Hernandez, is hopeful that something will happen in the cold case of her sister.
“Something is going to come out of this for either our family or future families that are looking for closure, so her name was Julia Vegas, don’t forget it,” Hernandez said.
It’s not clear when the next digital news conference will be, but you can submit any tips to First Coast Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS.
Click here to watch the full video.
