She was 23, vivacious and figuring out what she wanted to do with her life. But Joann "Jody" LeCornu never got that chance.
On March 2, 1996, Jody was sitting in her car in the parking-lot of what is now the Drumcastle Government Center along York Road, when gunfire rang out.
"The suspect pulled out a gun and fired a single shot into the car,” said Baltimore County Police Corporal John Wachter. “That bullet went into the back seat and into Joann’s back."
It was the middle of the night, just shy of 4 a.m. Jody managed to drive across the street and into the now Giant parking lot. The gunman wasn't far behind.
"He followed her across the street and when she stopped, he reached into the car,” Wachter said. “We think he may have put the car in park, but we're not 100 percent sure, but he definitely took something out of that car."
It's a chilling crime. For decades the reason for Jody’s murder and the name of her killer has puzzled police and loved ones.
Jody's identical twin sister, Jenny, is tormented by the loss, and she won't back down until she finally knows who took her sweet sister's life.
"I'm gonna do anything to find out what happened," Jenny Carrieri said.
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This spring, investigators released never-before-seen photos from the snowy crime scene, hoping to inspire someone to come forward with information.
But for Jenny, it's not enough.
"I've trusted them all these years, and I’ve been very patient,” she said. "I don't understand why they're not working on her case."
Over the years there have been theories about the unsolved killing, it was a drug deal gone bad, or a random robbery. Detectives have witnesses, surveillance videos from nearby businesses, fingerprints, and a description of the triggerman and his car. Yet the case is cold.
"We just want to get answers, we want to get the truth, you know,” said Jenny. “I don't think that justice has been, you know, there hasn't been justice for Jody."
Jenny has been digging on her own, desperate to find the gunman.
Back in August, Jenny and her attorney sent a request to the County Police Department to have access to Jody’s murder case file. They think getting a fresh pair of eyes to look at the details could turn up new leads.
"Which way the investigation should proceed, what needs to be done, what interviews or re-interviews need to be conducted, what we can gleam from the crime scene processing,” said Jenny’s Attorney, Michael P. May.
The Department responded about a month later denying the request, saying it could compromise the on-going investigation. However, the letter also said Jenny and her lawyer are welcome to view the files.
"I've got a good memory, but you know what, I’m not gonna remember everything that I read, we need the actual files in order to determine what steps we need to take from here," May said.
Now, they're suing Baltimore County Police for the records. The lawsuit was filed Thursday, and the Department has 30 days to file a response with the court.
Jenny just wants to end the wondering of what happened to Jody, and finally hold someone accountable for the years of pain.
"They've got a right to know what happened, and that's why I’m involved,” said May. “They're good people, they deserve better than this."
"I’m appreciative for what they have done, but its 20-years, and it's not enough, I mean, there's so many unanswered questions,” Jenny said.
ABC2 News reached out the Baltimore County Police Department about the lawsuit, and a spokesperson tells us they don't comment on pending litigation.
There is a $32,000 cash reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in Jody’s killing. If you know anything, call Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP.
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