Woman forgives unidentified killer who raped and murdered her 6-year-old daughter in her own bed 40 years ago
Nancye O'Reilly, a mother from New Zealand says that she has forgiven the unidentified killer who raped and murdered her six-year-old daughter, Alicia O'Reilly. The police have recently opened the investigation after 40 years. Though Nancye has forgiven the killer in order to get a sense of peace, and be able to move on, she says that she is grateful for the reopened investigation in order to resolve several unanswered questions.
Alicia was found dead in her own bed on August 16, 1980. She had been sleeping next to her sister, Juliet, who was eight years old at the time and just a few feet away in the same room. The killer has never been brought to justice, but Auckland police are re-opening the investigation, using forensic techniques that were not available back in 1980. Though there were physical clues left behind by the killer, and the police at the time questioned hundreds of suspects, the killer has remained unidentified for 40 years.
"This is unfinished business," Detective Inspector Stu Allsopp-Smith told NZ Herald, who had been a young trainee detective back in 1980, searching the yard back during the original investigation. "This case is one that has never ever gone away. It's certainly stayed with me throughout my whole career." He has urged anyone who "felt uneasy" about alibis they provided during the initial investigation to come forward now and clear any doubts that maybe had.
The investigation into the gathered files, documents and archived evidence has already begun to yield new results. "Already the team has identified some matters that require further investigation and inquiry," said acting Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin. "Alicia's murder was a horrific act and no matter how much time has passed since her death, Police are still committed to holding the person responsible to account."
Nancye's eldest daughter, Juliet, reportedly never got over the death of her younger sister, and tragically died in a car accident at the age of 14. Though she has seen much tragedy in her life, Nancye has found a way to deal with her feelings, and move on. She is currently 67, and has two full-grown sons, Jay and Liam.
NZ Herald did a special, in-depth report on the case called 'A Broken Angel'. According to the piece, Nancye "doesn’t want a criminal trial, just a name and face to put to the shapeless phantom which gave her so many sleepless nights. And the chance to ask one question: 'Why did you choose my home?'" Nancye reportedly feels like a trial would simply be too traumatic, and that she is through with seeking revenge.
"To be absolutely honest, I don’t care about that anymore. Nothing is going to bring Alicia back, or make up for 40 years of not having her," she said. "If you asked me now, 'have I forgiven the man who killed her?' Yes I have," Nancye told the NZ Herald. "But not for him. For me. You need to do it for yourself."