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Families still looking for answers two years after brutal murders in Portsmouth

Posted at 7:24 PM, Feb 05, 2014
and last updated 2014-02-05 19:24:58-05

Portsmouth, Va. – Not a day goes by that Joanne Gough doesn’t think of her son, David.

He was murdered two years ago in the Port Norfolk section of the city.  His body was unrecognizable.

“It’s hurtful to think about how he felt when this was happening and what he was going through, what was going through his mind,” said Gough.

The body of her son’s friend, Ann Gilkerson, was found in his house only a few blocks away on Broad St.

For two years, both families have waited for an arrest that has never come.

“It’s, it’s just something that I go to sleep thinking about every night,” Gough said, “And I just hope this is solved real soon.”

Gilkerson’s husband, Ronald Todd Gilkerson, was named as a person of interest at the time, but never a suspect, and police will not say if they’re still looking into him.

Ann Gilkerson’s brother, Frank Dozier, tells NewsChannel 3 he calls detectives every few months to check in on his sister’s case.  A few months ago he thought they might have a new lead.

“They did say that they have someone in custody for an unrelated charge that they thought knew what had happened, and that they were hoping to talk about it in exchange for getting some sort of deal,” said Dozier.

Since then, though, there’s still no arrest and still no answers for the families.

“I know she was murdered but I don't know why,” said Dozier.

The families say they hold on to hope, though, even now.

Joanne Gough says a detective told her he still has pictures of both victims hanging at his desk.

Both families say they believe there are people who know what happened, but are just afraid to come forward.

If you know anything that could help police, call 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.  You can remain anonymous.

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Friends of Portsmouth murder victim participate in fundraiser in her honor