PONTIAC, Mich. (WXYZ) — Officials are conducting a search of a lake behind Pontiac's Carriage Place Apartments on Friday for evidence connected to a 2018 cold case.
Watch Jolie Sherman's video report:
Law enforcement officials say the search was in connection to physical evidence related to the murder of 24-year-old Samantha Oriana Cosway.
Cosway was shot and killed at around 8:45 p.m. on Sunday, November 11, 2018, in the area of LaSalle, west of Telegraph, near the Waterford/Pontiac border.
“I just want justice for my niece and for my brother and for her other siblings," said Tammy Ybarra, Cosway's aunt.
CHOPPER VIDEO: Officials say divers searching Pontiac lake for evidence connected to 2018 cold case out of Waterford
Based on evidence in the case, including statements from witnesses and video from surrounding businesses, detectives believe Cosway was killed in a 6-minute window from 8:40 p.m. to 8:46 p.m.
On Friday, dozens of people who live at Carriage Place Apartments came outside their homes and watched as detectives carried out their investigation.
"It’s scary because I don’t know what to expect you know. It’s out of control around here. Whatever they have to do to recover anything, I don’t have a problem with it," said Regina Moore.
"I pray they recover the gun or whatever they’re looking for so the case can be solved and her family can have some closure," said Michelle Haden.
We reached out to Waterford Township on Friday but didn't hear back.
Earlier this year, officials said they had developed new leads in the case. They also believe there were witnesses who either saw or heard something that evening.
A $10,000 reward is being offered in the case.
“We would give anything right now to just find out who did it and why they did it," said Ybarra. "Especially knowing what happened to Samantha, it’s been the hardest journey for us right now.”
Anyone with information in this case is encouraged to contact Waterford Police Investigator Jenna Mamola at 248-618-7425 or Crime-Stoppers of Michigan at 1-800-SPEAK UP.
